Back Pain and Sciatica
Back pain and sciatica
Back pain is common. Putting up with it, or having it keep coming back, doesn't have to be.
Most people have back pain at some point. For many it settles, but for others it lingers or keeps returning, sometimes for years. In our experience, repeat episodes usually mean something underlying hasn't resolved or been addressed. So alongside the painful area, we look at how your spine, pelvis and nervous system are functioning to get you the best short term and long term results.
What back pain and sciatica can look like
Aching or stiffness in the lower back, often worse after sitting, bending or first thing in the morning
Pain that comes and goes, or keeps returning
Pain, tingling or numbness in the buttock or down the leg (sciatica)
Tightness or limited movement through the hips and pelvis
Pain that follows a lift, a long drive or a bad night's sleep
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What can contribute
Back pain rarely has just one cause. Long periods of sitting or driving, repetitive lifting, old injuries, sport, poor sleep and stress can all add to the load. Stress matters more than most people expect: when your nervous system is under strain, the muscles around your spine and pelvis stay tense and create imbalance, leaving you more vulnerable to injury.
How we work with it
Spinal Somatics is a gentle, precise approach to chiropractic that uses quite light, brief contacts to work with your nervous system to release the tension your spine and body is holding. For back pain, we pay particular attention to how your lumbar spine (low back), pelvis and hips coordinate movement. We also look at the coordination of movement through your entire spine. There are no forceful techniques involved.
Change tends to build from visit to visit. How often you come at first depends on how severe the problem is and how long it's been there, and visits reduce as the function of your spine you improves.
Honest advice
We explain what we're finding and what we recommend. If we feel like you would benefit from x-rays or other scans, we'll let you know and refer you for these (in the case of x-rays), or suggest you get a referral from your GP.
What your first visit looks like
We start by listening: when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and what else is going on, including sleep and stress. We check how your spine is functioning and where you hold tension, then explain what we find and what we recommend. Your first visit is typically 1 hour, and regular visits are around 15 minutes.
Common questions
Do I need a scan or X-ray first? Not usually. We'll only refer you for imaging if your history or examination suggests it's needed.
Will I need to keep coming back? Not indefinitely. How often you need to come will depend on how severe the problem is, how long it’s been there, and how quickly you respond to your care. We'll give you an honest idea at your first visit and review it as you go. The aim is to need us less often.