If you’re dealing with lower back pain that won’t go away, or a sharp, shooting pain that runs from your lower back down through your leg, you’re not alone. Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people in the Inner West search for a chiropractor — and sciatica, in particular, can be debilitating enough to affect sleep, work, and everyday movement.
At Unwind Chiropractic in Lilyfield, we see this every week. Here’s what’s usually going on, and what we do about it.
What’s the Difference Between Lower Back Pain and Sciatica?
Lower back pain is a general term for discomfort, stiffness, or aching anywhere across the lumbar spine (your lower back). It can be dull and constant, or it can flare up with certain movements — bending, lifting, sitting for long periods, or getting out of bed in the morning.
Sciatica is more specific. It happens when the sciatic nerve — which runs from your lower back, through your glutes, and down the back of each leg — becomes irritated or compressed. This usually shows up as:
- A sharp, burning, or shooting pain down one leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Pain that gets worse when sitting
- Weakness in the leg or foot
Not all lower back pain is sciatica, but sciatica almost always starts with something happening in the lower back.
What Causes It?
Some of the most common contributors we see in clinic:
- Poor posture and prolonged sitting — especially relevant for the number of people in Lilyfield, Rozelle, and Balmain now working from home or commuting into the city for desk jobs.
- Muscle imbalances — when the muscles supporting your spine and pelvis aren’t working together properly, extra load gets placed on the joints and discs.
- Disc issues — a bulging or herniated disc can press directly on the sciatic nerve.
- Old injuries that never fully resolved — including sports injuries or a car accident from years ago that “healed” on the surface but left underlying restrictions.
- Pregnancy-related changes — shifts in posture and ligament laxity can bring on sciatica-like symptoms.
Why “Just Resting It” Often Doesn’t Work
A lot of people try to wait out lower back pain, assuming it’ll settle on its own. Sometimes it does. But when pain is coming from a joint that isn’t moving properly, or a muscular imbalance that’s been building for months or years, rest alone doesn’t address the underlying cause — it just gives you a temporary break from the symptom.
This is where our approach is a little different.
How We Approach It at Unwind
We use the ABC Technique as part of our broader Unwind Process, which looks at your body as a connected system rather than treating your lower back in isolation. In practice, that means:
- A thorough assessment of your posture, movement patterns, and the actual source of the restriction — not just where you feel the pain.
- Gentle, targeted adjustments to restore proper movement to the joints that are restricted.
- A plan for what happens between visits — because lasting change usually comes from combining in-clinic care with the right movement and habits at home.
Most people come to us after trying other things first — and often after being told their only real options are pain medication or, in more severe disc cases, surgery. Chiropractic care won’t be the right fit for every case, and if we think you need imaging or a referral to a specialist, we’ll tell you. But for a large number of people, addressing the mechanical cause of the pain brings real, lasting relief.
When Should You See Someone?
Don’t wait until it’s unbearable. It’s worth booking an assessment if:
- Your lower back pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks
- You’re experiencing any shooting pain, numbness, or tingling down your leg
- Pain is affecting your sleep or your ability to work
- You’ve had a similar episode before and it keeps coming back
Ready to Get to the Bottom of It?
If lower back pain or sciatica has been holding you back, we’d like to help you understand what’s actually going on — not just mask the symptom. Unwind Chiropractic is located at 79A Justin Street, Lilyfield, a short walk from Lilyfield Light Rail Station, serving clients across the Inner West including Rozelle, Balmain, and Annandale.
This article is general information and isn’t a substitute for individualised clinical advice. If you’re experiencing severe or worsening symptoms, please seek prompt medical attention.
