Sciatica is often talked about as though it’s a condition in itself. It isn’t. It’s a symptom — a description of pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes as far as the foot. Something further up the chain is irritating that nerve, and until that source is identified, symptom relief alone tends to be short-lived.
What’s usually behind it
Most commonly, sciatica traces back to mechanical dysfunction in the lower spine or pelvis — a disc bulge pressing near the nerve root, a facet joint that has lost normal movement, or muscular tightness (often in the piriformis, deep in the buttock) compressing the nerve as it passes through. Less often, it can stem from spinal stenosis or, rarely, something that needs urgent medical attention.
Why walking becomes difficult
Walking loads the lower spine and hips repeatedly with every step. If the nerve is already irritated, that repetitive loading can aggravate it further, which is why many patients describe pain that builds the longer they’re on their feet, or a leg that starts to feel heavy, numb or weak partway through a walk.
How we approach it
A thorough assessment looks at movement through the lower back, hip and pelvis, along with basic neurological checks, to work out where the irritation is actually coming from — rather than only treating the leg where the pain is felt. Treatment typically combines gentle spinal and pelvic adjustment with soft tissue work and specific mobility exercises, with the plan adjusted as your symptoms change.
Most people notice a change within a handful of sessions, though timelines vary depending on how long the irritation has been present and what’s driving it. If your sciatica comes with significant weakness, numbness in the saddle area, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek urgent medical attention rather than booking a routine appointment — these can be signs of a more serious problem.