Living With

Sciatica Pain?

Reduce Nerve Pain. Move easier. Walk with confidence.

Sciatica Pain Overview

Common Causes

Relieve radiating nerve pain. Move easier. Live with more comfort.

Shawn Parsons

Patient

"The full package. This man has fixed more things with me than I realized were broken. I was “working myself to death”, when I first came here. He took me from a very bad state of health to being very energetic, active, and eliminated my anxiety. He has given me back my life!" -Shawn

Leonie Lamothe

Patient

"Michel Brosseau is an extremely knowlegeable and very competent chiropractor. Éliane the assistant/ receptionist is very welcoming and very accomodating. My husband and I have been patients at McLeod Street Chiropractic for a few hears now and we are very pleased with Michel Brosseau’s treatments and ongoing maintenance ." -Leonie

Michael Smith Dragon

Patient

"Dr Brosseau is kind and professional. He did a thorough assessment of me and sent me for x-rays. X-ray showed that I need surgery. Thus Dr Brosseau doesn't recommend Chiropractic treatment but that I should speak to my family doctor regarding my chronic problem. I appreciate Dr Brosseau giving me his honest professional opinion." -Michael

Jennie May Ellis

Patient

"I've been a patient of Dr. Brosseau's for a bit over a year and I'm so greatful. He has treated the osteoarthritis in my neck along with other spinal and hip alignment issues. It's been fantastic! I have recommended him to members of my family and they've had excellent results too. I go to him regularly now to keep everything in-line and working fine!" -Jennie

Shawn Cook

Patient

"Dr. Brosseau patiently took a digital scan and physical assessment and clearly defined the strategy for treatment. It was agreed that I would receive an adjustment that day and walked out of there feeling better. I returned weekly for subsequent visits. Dr Brosseau is very professional and extremely knowledgeable in many areas of care." -Shawn

Eva Lopéz

Patient

"Went in for a work injury and Dr. Brosseau gave me an adjustment and put my rib back in place. He had me fixed in one visit. Best chiropractic experience. His receptionist Ashley is professional and absolutely lovely." -Eva

Shayne Beausoleil

Patient

"Dr Brosseau cares about his patients and has helped me with many issues." -Shayne

Tammy-lynn Wilcox

Patient

"Dr. Brosseau and Ashley (receptionist) are both very professional, and personable. You are greeted with smiles and friendly conversation each visit. Dr. B makes you feel very comfortable with his knowledge-base, taking time to answer questions as they present. While also keeping you on your toes, by laughing (or shaking your head with a smirk) at his quirky jokes." -Tammy-lynn

Miss. Doll

Patient

"Friendly staff. If you have any kind of pain, the doctor will do his best to help relieve it. I’ve only had one adjustment and I feel the results already!!!" - Miss. Doll

Susanne Buott

Patient

"He is honest, dedicated, knowledgeable and professional with a witty sense of humor that brightens every visit. The receptionist is also very friendly and personable and the office has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. I drive all the way out from Chelmsford twice a week for my visits and it is definitely worth it!" -Susanne

96.5% Patient Satisfaction

Sciatica Shouldn’t Decide How Far You Can Walk.

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Less shooting pain. More movement. More confidence in every step.

Sciatica Pain Overview

Understand The Nerve. Reduce The Pressure.

Sciatica can make walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, working, and daily movement feel harder than they should — but radiating nerve pain deserves a closer look.

Sciatica is commonly described as pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It often affects one side of the body and can interfere with mobility, comfort, sleep, work, and quality of life.

Symptoms That Signal A Need For Help

Sciatica symptoms can vary from irritating to intense. These signs may indicate that the sciatic nerve is irritated, compressed, or under stress.

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Persistent Lower Back Pain: Pain that radiates into the buttock or leg and may intensify with sitting, bending, or certain movements.

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Sharp Pain: Intense pain that can make standing, walking, driving, sleeping, or moving normally more difficult.

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Numbness Or Tingling: Nerve-related sensations that travel along the leg, foot, hip, buttock, or lower back.

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Muscle Weakness: Weakness in the leg or foot that can make movement, balance, walking, or stairs harder than usual.

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Localized Discomfort: Pain that begins near the lower spine, hip, or buttock and extends downward along the nerve pathway.

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica pain can range from occasional and irritating to constant and disruptive. While symptoms can feel intense, many cases respond well to conservative care focused on reducing irritation, improving movement, and helping the body function better.

Common Causes Of Sciatica

Sciatica is often related to pressure or irritation affecting the sciatic nerve. Dr. Michael Brosseau can help evaluate what may be contributing to your symptoms and recommend a care plan based on your movement, posture, nerve irritation, lifestyle factors, and what your body actually needs.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is one of the most common reasons the sciatic nerve can become irritated, compressed, or inflamed.

This can happen when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer layer and places pressure on nearby nerve roots in the lower back.

When that pressure affects the sciatic nerve pathway, symptoms may travel from the low back into the hip, buttock, leg, calf, or foot.

Common signs may include:

Shooting Leg Pain:
Pain may travel from the lower back or hip down one side of the body, often into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.
Numbness Or Tingling:
Pressure on the nerve can create pins and needles, burning, numbness, or altered sensation along the sciatic nerve pathway.
Weakness Or Heaviness:
Some people feel weakness, heaviness, or reduced control in the leg or foot when the affected nerve is not communicating properly.
Pain With Sitting Or Bending:
Symptoms may feel worse with prolonged sitting, bending forward, lifting, twisting, coughing, or certain positions that increase pressure through the lower back.
Muscle Guarding:
The body may tighten surrounding muscles to protect the irritated area, which can create stiffness, spasms, or restricted movement through the low back and hips.
A Proper Assessment Matters:
Because sciatica symptoms can come from discs, joints, muscles, posture, or nerve compression, a focused evaluation helps identify what may be driving the pain and what can be done to relieve it.

Bone Spurs

Bone spurs are small bony growths that can develop around the spine over time and may contribute to sciatic nerve irritation.

They often form as the body responds to joint stress, arthritis, disc degeneration, or long-term wear and tear. In some cases, these bony changes can narrow the space around nerve pathways in the lower back.

When a bone spur places pressure on nearby nerve roots, symptoms may travel through the sciatic nerve pathway into the hip, buttock, leg, calf, or foot.

Common signs may include:

Radiating Leg Pain: Pain may travel from the lower back into the hip, buttock, thigh, calf, or foot when nearby nerves are irritated.
Numbness Or Tingling: Nerve pressure can create tingling, burning, altered sensation, or pins and needles along the affected nerve pathway.
Stiffness In The Lower Back: Bone spurs are often associated with joint changes that can make the lower back feel stiff, restricted, or harder to move comfortably.
Symptoms With Standing Or Walking: Some people notice symptoms become worse with standing, walking, or certain positions that reduce space around irritated nerves.
Weakness Or Heaviness: If nerve communication is affected, the leg or foot may feel weaker, heavier, or less coordinated during movement.
A Proper Assessment Matters: Because sciatic pain can come from bone spurs, discs, spinal narrowing, joint restriction, muscle tension, or posture, a focused evaluation helps identify what may be driving the symptoms and what care may help.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces inside the spine become narrowed, which can place pressure on the nerve roots that help form the sciatic nerve.

This narrowing often develops gradually over time and may be related to aging, arthritis, disc changes, bone spurs, or long-term wear and tear through the lower back.

When spinal stenosis affects the lower back, symptoms may travel into the hips, buttocks, legs, calves, or feet — especially when standing or walking.

Common signs may include:

Leg Pain With Walking: Pain, heaviness, cramping, or discomfort may increase when standing or walking and may ease when sitting or bending forward.
Numbness Or Tingling: Narrowing around the nerve pathways can create tingling, burning, pins and needles, or altered sensation into the hips, legs, feet, or toes.
Lower Back Stiffness: Stenosis is often connected with spinal joint changes that can make the lower back feel stiff, compressed, or restricted.
Weakness Or Fatigue: When nerve communication is affected, the legs may feel weaker, heavier, less steady, or more tired during normal movement.
Position-Dependent Symptoms: Symptoms may change depending on posture. Some people feel worse standing upright and better when sitting, leaning forward, or resting.
A Proper Assessment Matters: Because sciatica can come from spinal stenosis, discs, bone spurs, joint restriction, muscle tension, or nerve compression, a focused evaluation helps identify what may be narrowing the space and what care may help.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis happens when one vertebra slips forward over the one beneath it, which can narrow nerve space and contribute to sciatic nerve irritation. This shift can place extra stress on the lower back, discs, joints, muscles, and nerve roots — especially in the lumbar spine where the sciatic nerve pathway begins. When the slipped vertebra affects nearby nerves, symptoms may travel into the hip, buttock, leg, calf, or foot. Common signs may include:

Lower Back Pain: Pain may feel deep, achy, stiff, or unstable through the lower back, especially after standing, walking, lifting, or extending the spine.
Radiating Leg Symptoms: If nearby nerve roots are irritated, pain, tingling, numbness, or burning may travel into the buttock, thigh, calf, foot, or toes.
Tight Hamstrings Or Hips: Muscle tension through the hamstrings, hips, glutes, or lower back may develop as the body tries to protect or stabilize the affected area.
Symptoms With Standing Or Extension: Pain may worsen with prolonged standing, walking, arching backward, lifting, or positions that increase pressure through the lower spine.
Weakness Or Heavy Legs: Nerve irritation may cause the legs to feel tired, weak, heavy, or less coordinated during normal movement.
A Proper Assessment Matters: Because sciatica can come from spondylolisthesis, discs, stenosis, bone spurs, joints, muscles, or posture, a focused evaluation helps identify what may be driving the symptoms and what care may help.

Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms can tighten around the lower back, hips, glutes, or pelvis and contribute to sciatic nerve irritation.

When muscles become overworked, strained, guarded, or inflamed, they may clamp down to protect the area. That tension can limit movement, increase pressure, and sometimes aggravate the sciatic nerve pathway.

Muscle spasms may happen after lifting, twisting, sitting too long, overtraining, poor posture, injury, or compensating for another spinal or hip issue.

Common signs may include:

Sudden Tightness Or Cramping: Muscles in the lower back, hips, glutes, or legs may suddenly tighten, lock up, or feel difficult to relax.
Pain With Movement: Bending, twisting, standing up, walking, or changing positions may feel sharper or more restricted when muscles are guarding the area.
Glute Or Hip Tension: Tightness through the glutes, hip flexors, or piriformis area can place extra stress near the sciatic nerve pathway.
Restricted Mobility: Muscle spasms can make it harder to stand upright, walk normally, sit comfortably, or move through your usual range of motion.
Radiating Symptoms: When spasms irritate nearby nerves or compensation patterns, symptoms may travel into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.
A Proper Assessment Matters: Because muscle spasms can be the main issue or a protective response to discs, joints, posture, stenosis, or nerve irritation, a focused evaluation helps identify what is actually driving the sciatic pain.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can place added stress on the lower back, pelvis, hips, and sciatic nerve pathway as the body changes to support a growing baby.

As posture shifts, weight distribution changes, and the pelvis adapts, some women may experience irritation through the lower back, glutes, hips, or legs.

Sciatica-like symptoms during pregnancy may include pain, pressure, tightness, numbness, tingling, or discomfort that travels from the low back or hip into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.

Common contributors may include:

Postural Changes:
As the body changes, the lower back and pelvis may carry more stress, which can increase tension through the hips, glutes, and sciatic nerve pathway.
Pelvic And Hip Pressure:
Changes through the pelvis can create added pressure or tightness around the joints, muscles, and soft tissues that help support daily movement.
Glute And Piriformis Tension:
Tightness through the glutes or piriformis area may aggravate the sciatic nerve pathway and contribute to symptoms into the hip, buttock, or leg.
Lower Back Strain:
The lower back may work harder as posture and balance shift, which can lead to stiffness, muscle guarding, or nerve irritation.
Symptoms With Sitting Or Standing:
Discomfort may become more noticeable with prolonged sitting, standing, walking, sleeping positions, or changes in movement demands.
A Proper Assessment Matters:
Because pregnancy-related sciatica symptoms can come from posture, pelvic stress, muscle tension, spinal movement, or nerve irritation, a focused evaluation helps identify what may be contributing and what care may be appropriate.

At McLeod Street Chiropractic, we believe you deserve to be healthy & live your best life.

What May Be Contributing?

Sciatica Pain Risk Factors

Sciatica pain can affect anyone — but certain lifestyle, health, posture, and movement factors can increase your risk of developing sciatic nerve irritation.

Understanding these risk factors can help you take smarter steps to protect your spine, reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, improve daily function, and lower the chance of pain becoming a recurring problem — so you can move toward better movement, less radiating pain, and more freedom.

Age

Sciatica pain is common in adults aged 30-50, often caused by herniated discs or age-related spinal degeneration.

Obesity

Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive body fat, increasing the risk of health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.

Occupation

Occupation refers to a person's job or profession, which can impact health, particularly in sedentary or physically demanding roles.

Prolonged Sitting

Prolonged sitting refers to extended periods of inactivity while seated, which can lead to health issues like obesity, back pain, and poor circulation.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to serious health complications.

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of people may experience sciatica at some point in their lifetime

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of patients with low back pain are estimated to have sciatica

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fewer people who utilize chiropractic care will utilize opioids to manage the pain

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of people suffering from sciatica achieve pain relief without surgery

When To Take Action

When To Seek Treatment For Sciatica Pain

Sciatica pain is often a sign that the sciatic nerve may be irritated, compressed, or under stress.

Some symptoms should not be ignored. Get evaluated if sciatica pain is affecting how you walk, sit, sleep, work, drive, or move through daily life.

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Intense Pain: Pain that makes it difficult to walk, sit, sleep, work, drive, or perform normal daily activities.

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Symptoms That Persist: Discomfort, numbness, tingling, burning, or nerve-related symptoms that do not improve after several weeks of self-care.

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Sudden Or Severe Symptoms: Sharp lower back, hip, or leg pain that appears quickly — especially when paired with numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or difficulty moving normally.

Loss Of Bowel Or Bladder Control: This may be a sign of a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Your Path To Sciatica Relief

It’s Easy To
Get Started

A focused, supportive process designed to help you understand what may be irritating the sciatic nerve, reduce unnecessary pressure, and move toward better mobility, less radiating pain, and more freedom.

1

Find What’s Irritating The Sciatic Nerve

Start with a focused sciatica evaluation designed to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms — including your lower back, hips, posture, spinal movement, nerve irritation, movement patterns, and how your body is compensating.

2

Build Your Sciatica Relief Strategy

Based on your assessment, Dr. Brosseau will recommend a personalized care plan focused on what your body actually needs — not just chasing symptoms down the leg from one day to the next.

3

Calm The Pain And Pressure

Begin targeted chiropractic care and supportive recommendations designed to calm nerve irritation, reduce pressure, improve mobility, restore movement, and help your spine and hips function better.

4

Move Easier. Live Freer.

As sciatic nerve irritation improves, the goal is simple: less radiating pain, better mobility, and more confidence walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, working, and living your life.

Ready For Relief?

Ready To Get Sciatica Pain Under Control?

Take the next step toward calmer nerve pain, easier movement, better mobility, and living with more freedom.

Protect Your Spine

Tips To Help Prevent Sciatica Pain

Small daily habits can help reduce unnecessary pressure on the sciatic nerve, support better spinal movement, and help your body stay more comfortable through work, rest, and daily life.

Reduce nerve stress before small irritation becomes bigger pain.

Tip 1: Get Moving

Gentle, consistent movement can help reduce sciatic nerve irritation, support spinal health, and keep your body from stiffening up.

Choose low-impact activities that help build strength, improve flexibility, and support better movement without overloading your back:

Start With Low-Impact Exercise: Walking, water aerobics, swimming, and stationary biking can help you stay active while placing less strain on your lower back, hips, and legs.
Build Back And Core Support: Strengthening your core, hips, glutes, and lower back can help support your spine and reduce unnecessary pressure through the sciatic nerve pathway.
Improve Hip And Leg Flexibility: Gentle stretching for the hips, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back can help reduce tension that may contribute to sciatic pain or restricted movement.
Avoid Long Periods Of Stillness: Sitting or standing in one position for too long can make symptoms feel worse. Take short movement breaks throughout the day to keep your body from locking up.
Progress Gradually: Start slowly and build activity over time. Pushing too hard too soon can flare symptoms, while steady progress helps your body adapt more safely.

Tip 2: Have Posture Awareness

Better posture can reduce pressure through your lower back, hips, and sciatic nerve pathway.

Use these posture habits to help reduce irritation and support easier movement:

Avoid Slouching: Keep your spine tall, shoulders relaxed, and hips supported instead of rounding forward or collapsing into your lower back while sitting.
Support Your Lower Back: Use a chair, cushion, or lumbar support that helps maintain the natural curve of your spine and reduces pressure through your hips and low back.
Change Positions Often: Avoid sitting, standing, or driving in one position for too long. Frequent position changes can help reduce stiffness and nerve irritation.
Watch Your Hip Position: Keep your hips level and avoid sitting with your wallet in your back pocket, crossing one leg for long periods, or leaning heavily to one side.
Set Up Your Workspace: Keep your feet flat, knees comfortably bent, screen at eye level, and chair height adjusted so your body is not constantly fighting poor alignment.

Tip 3: Create an Ergonomic Workplace Setup

A better workstation can reduce pressure through your lower back, hips, glutes, and sciatic nerve pathway.

Set up your workspace so your body is supported instead of slowly building tension throughout the day:

Choose Supportive Seating: Use a chair that supports your lower back, keeps your hips level, and helps your spine stay comfortably upright without forcing you to slump.
Keep Your Feet Supported: Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest so your hips, knees, and lower back are not under constant strain.
Set Your Screen At Eye Level: Position your monitor directly in front of you and close to eye level so you are not leaning forward, rounding your back, or twisting your spine.
Avoid Sitting Too Long: Take short standing or walking breaks throughout the day to reduce stiffness and help prevent pressure from building through your lower back and hips.
Reduce Reach And Twist: Keep frequently used items close to your body so you are not repeatedly reaching, twisting, or leaning in ways that irritate your back or sciatic nerve.

Tip 4: Stay in Shape

Better overall fitness can help reduce pressure on your lower back, hips, and sciatic nerve pathway.

Support your body with habits that build strength, endurance, flexibility, and healthier movement:

Build Core Strength: Strengthen your core, hips, glutes, and lower back so your spine has better support during walking, sitting, lifting, and daily movement.
Maintain A Healthy Weight: Extra stress on the lower back and hips can increase strain through the sciatic nerve pathway. Healthy habits can help reduce that load over time.
Improve Hip Mobility: Gentle mobility work for the hips, glutes, hamstrings, and lower back can help reduce stiffness that may contribute to sciatic irritation.
Choose Low-Impact Conditioning: Walking, swimming, cycling, and other low-impact activities can support endurance and circulation without placing unnecessary strain on your back.
Stay Consistent: Small, regular movement habits are often more helpful than occasional intense workouts that overload the back, hips, or legs too quickly.

Tip 5: Be Mindful of Movement Techniques

How you bend, lift, twist, sit, and move throughout the day can either reduce sciatic nerve irritation — or keep feeding it.

Use smarter movement habits to protect your lower back, hips, and sciatic nerve pathway:

Bend With Your Hips And Knees: Avoid folding through your lower back when reaching down. Hinge through your hips, bend your knees, and keep your spine supported.
Avoid Twisting Under Load: Turning while lifting, carrying, or reaching can increase strain through the lower back and hips. Move your feet and turn your whole body instead.
Keep Objects Close: Carry items close to your body to reduce leverage, lower back strain, and unnecessary pressure through the sciatic nerve pathway.
Move Before You Stiffen: Change positions before your back, hips, or legs start tightening up. Waiting until symptoms flare can make movement harder to restore.
Respect Early Warning Signs: If movement causes shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, do not push through aggressively. Scale back and get assessed if symptoms persist.

Tip 6: Stretch Regularly

Regular stretching can help reduce tension through your lower back, hips, glutes, and legs — key areas that can influence sciatic nerve irritation.

Use gentle, consistent stretching to support better mobility and reduce pressure through the sciatic nerve pathway:

Stretch The Hips And Glutes: Tight hips and glute muscles can contribute to pressure and discomfort through the lower back and sciatic nerve pathway.
Support Hamstring Flexibility: Gentle hamstring stretching can help reduce pulling through the pelvis and lower back, which may ease strain during walking, bending, and sitting.
Avoid Aggressive Stretching: Stretching should feel controlled and manageable. Do not force positions that increase shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Stay Consistent: A few minutes of gentle stretching each day can be more helpful than occasional intense stretching that irritates the back, hips, or legs.
Pair Stretching With Movement: Combine stretching with walking, posture resets, and low-impact activity so your body stays mobile instead of tightening back up.

TIp 7: Avoid Prolonged Sitting

Long periods of sitting can increase pressure through your lower back, hips, glutes, and sciatic nerve pathway.

Use these habits to reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and keep sciatic irritation from building throughout the day:

Take Movement Breaks: Stand up, walk, or gently stretch every 30 minutes when possible to reduce pressure through your lower back and hips.
Avoid Slumped Sitting: Sitting with your spine rounded, hips tucked, or shoulders collapsed can increase strain through the lower back and sciatic nerve pathway.
Change Positions Often: Shift your posture, adjust your chair, stand briefly, or alternate between sitting and standing so your body does not stay locked in one position.
Support Your Hips And Lower Back: Use lumbar support when needed and keep your feet flat so your pelvis, hips, and spine stay better supported while sitting.
Break Up Long Drives: During longer drives, stop when you can to stand, walk, and gently reset your hips and lower back before symptoms build.

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