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79H St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell
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0800 847 069
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Mon - Friday: 8AM - 7PM
Sciatica Treatment Auckland
Struggling to understand the difference?
What is Sciatica & Nerve Pain
Is that persistent pain in your lower back and leg a simple muscle strain, or could it be the distinct nerve pain of sciatica? Understanding the source of your discomfort is the first crucial step toward finding effective, lasting relief. At VIP Health, we know that while many conditions cause similar symptoms, pain that originates from a nerve requires a specialised approach. This guide will clarify the distinctions between general pain and sciatica, helping you understand your symptoms and the powerful, patient-centred treatments available right here at our Parnell, Auckland clinic.
What is Sciatica?
Definition and Causes: Sciatica is not a diagnosis but a symptom of an underlying condition that is compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in your body, running from your lower back down each leg. When a structure like a spinal disc or tight muscle puts pressure on this nerve, it triggers the radiating pain known as sciatica.
Common Causes Include:
● Herniated or Slipped Disc: The most frequent cause, where a spinal disc bulges and presses on the nerve root.
● Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal that constricts the space around the nerves.
● Piriformis Syndrome: Spasms in the piriformis muscle (in the buttock) can directly compress the sciatic nerve.
● Spondylolisthesis: A spinal condition where one vertebra travels forward over another.
How it Differs: The key difference is the pathway of the pain. General back pain stays in the back. Sciatica is defined by pain that travels along the nerve. This radiating, sharp, or tingling sensation is the classic sign that sets it apart.
Differentiating Your Pain
General Back Pain
Most often muscular or related to joint stiffness, general back pain feels like a dull ache or sharp, localised pain. It's typically caused by poor posture or muscle strain and is confined to the back area, without travelling down the leg.
General Leg Pain
Leg pain can stem from issues within the leg itself, like a muscle tear or joint inflammation. The discomfort originates in the leg's structures. In contrast, sciatica-related leg pain is a referred pain—the problem is in your spine, but the symptom is felt in your leg.
Sciatica
Sciatica has a specific set of symptoms that clearly point to nerve involvement. You may be experiencing sciatica if you have:
● A shooting, sharp pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down the back of one leg.
● Numbness, tingling, or a "pins-and-needles" sensation along the nerve path.
● Weakness in the affected leg or foot.
● Pain that gets worse when you sit, cough, or sneeze.
Holistic Sciatica Treatment at VIP Health
At our Parnell clinic, our core objectives are rooted in our values of Value, Integrity, and Performance. We believe in a holistic and integrative approach to manage and resolve sciatica, addressing the root cause instead of just masking the symptoms. Our patient-centred care plans are designed to get you back to living a pain-free life.
Chiropractic Care: The Cornerstone of Sciatica Treatment
Chiropractic care is fundamental to effective sciatica treatment because it directly addresses the spinal misalignments that often cause nerve compression.
● Chiropractic Adjustments: Our chiropractors perform precise, gentle adjustments to realign vertebrae, restoring proper motion and relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve root. This process is key to reducing pain and managing chronic sciatica symptoms.
● Nervous System Health: Your spine protects your nervous system. By correcting misalignments, chiropractic care reduces tension and allows your nervous system to function optimally, supporting your body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Acupuncture
At VIP Health, our certified acupuncturists use this time-tested practice to provide significant pain relief. By inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points, acupuncture helps release your body's natural painkillers (endorphins), reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system, making it a powerful tool against sciatic nerve pain.
Targeted Exercises & Rehabilitation
As part of your comprehensive treatment plan, our practitioners will guide you through targeted exercises and stretches. These movements are designed to strengthen your core and back muscles, improve flexibility in tight areas like the piriformis, and provide better support for your spine, reducing the chance of future flare-ups.
Soft Tissue Techniques
As part of our holistic approach, our practitioners may use targeted soft tissue techniques. By working on the muscles and fascia of the lower back, pelvis and glutes, we can release deep muscle tension that may be contributing to nerve compression, thereby improving circulation and promoting healing.
Your Path to Relief Starts in Parnell
Understanding the source of your pain is the first step, but lasting relief comes from a precise diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. At VIP Health, our patient-centred care model ensures we listen to your needs and create a plan that delivers real value and performance.
Don't let sciatica control your life. Take the first step towards a pain-free future by entrusting your care to the dedicated team at VIP Health.
Visit our Location
79H St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell
Give us a Call
0800 847 069
Send us a Message
About Us
At VIP Health, our core objectives are deeply rooted in our values of Value, Integrity, and Performance. Our core objective as a health practitioners is to provide exceptional, patient-centred care that delivers real value while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and performance.
Opening Hours
Monday - 08:00-17:00
Tuesday - 08:00-17:00
Wednesday - 08:00-17:00
Thursday - 08:00-17:00
Friday - 08:00-17:00
Saturday - 09:00-12:00
Sunday - CLOSED