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Source Chiropractic

SCIATICA RELIEF IN 
​DOWNTOWN TORONTO

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

Sciatica is not a diagnosis on its own. It’s a symptom. It describes pain, tightness, numbness, or tingling that travels from the lower back or pelvis down into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot, following the path of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to sharp, burning pain that interferes with walking, sitting, or sleeping.

Sciatica usually indicates that something is irritating or compressing the nerve, often due to spinal or pelvic dysfunction rather than a single “injury.”

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COMMON CAUSES OF SCIATICA

Sciatic nerve irritation can develop from several underlying issues, including:
  • Disc degeneration or disc bulges
  • Reduced spinal joint movement or misalignment
  • Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine
  • Pelvic or sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Poor posture, prolonged sitting, or repetitive strain
  • Previous injuries that were never fully corrected

Identifying which structures are involved – and why – is essential for effective, lasting relief.


Many patients with sciatica also experience rhomboid or upper-back stiffness or underlying low back pain, especially when nerve irritation arises from biomechanical stress. Addressing associated conditions like back pain and posture-related strain can improve long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence.

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HOW WE ASSESS SCIATICA

Sciatic pain can be influenced by spinal joint function, disc health, posture, and how the nervous system is responding to stress or irritation. Because symptoms can travel far from their source, careful assessment is essential.


Your assessment may include spinal and postural evaluation, movement testing, and consideration of how spinal and nervous system signaling may be influencing muscle control, tension, and movement patterns.


To better understand how these findings guide care, visit our Assessment & Care Approach.

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THE ROLE OF X-RAYS IN SCIATICA CARE

When clinically appropriate, we refer patients for spinal X-rays to better understand the structural condition of the spine.


X-rays allow both you and Dr. Leo to:

  • Visualize spinal alignment and joint spacing
  • Identify signs of spinal degeneration or disc height loss
  • Assess stress patterns that may be irritating the sciatic nerve
  • Guide treatment decisions with greater precision
  • Establish a clearer prognosis, not guesswork

Seeing your spine helps transform care from symptom-based to evidence-guided, and allows progress to be measured over time.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT SOURCE CHIROPRACTIC

We don’t rush care or treat sciatica as a one-size-fits-all problem. Your experience is centered around:
  • Thorough assessment and history
  • Clear explanation of findings
  • Imaging-informed decision making when needed
  • A plan designed around your spine, your lifestyle, and your goals

You’ll understand not only what we’re doing, but why.
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WHEN TO SEEK CARE

If you’re experiencing:
  • Persistent leg pain or numbness
  • Pain worsened by sitting or standing
  • Recurrent flare-ups that keep returning
  • Sciatica that hasn’t resolved with rest or medication

…it may be time to address the structural causes, not just the symptoms.
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BOOK A SCIATICA ASSESSMENT

If you’re dealing with sciatica and want answers – not guesses – Dr. Leo is here to help. 

You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to book an assessment. If we determine chiropractic care isn’t appropriate for your situation, we’ll tell you — clearly and honestly.


Book an assessment ↗ at Source Chiropractic and take the first step toward understanding your spine and relieving sciatic nerve pain with clarity and confidence.
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