Chiropractic Adjustment or Rest: What's Better for Sciatica?
Sciatica can stop you in your tracks. That sharp, shooting pain that moves from the lower back down through the hips and legs can make the simplest movements feel hard.
When you're in the middle of a flare-up, it's common to wonder what will help most.
Is rest enough, or would something like a chiropractic adjustment give your body the support it needs?
With warmer months ahead across much of Australia, many people become more active, making it a good time to talk about how rest, movement, and spinal care each play a role when sciatica shows up.
Understanding Sciatica and Why It Hurts
Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve, the thickest nerve in the body. It starts in the lower back, travels through the hips and buttocks, and runs down each leg. When this nerve gets pinched or inflamed, pain can appear suddenly or build up over time.
• People often describe sciatica as a sharp, burning, or tingling feeling, usually on one side of the body
• Long hours sitting, suddenly bending, lifting awkwardly, or staying inactive too long can all put added pressure on the lower spine
• Sometimes, the nerve gets compressed by spinal joints or tight muscles deep in the pelvis
Pain isn’t always constant. For some, it comes and goes based on how they sit or move. Others may feel it most when standing up or sleeping. Understanding what actions might trigger it is often the first step toward feeling better.
Does Rest Help or Make Things Worse?
When sciatica hits hard, it's normal to want to lie still. In the early stages of pain, short periods of rest can give the body a breather. Especially during those first hours or days of sharper discomfort, being gentle with movement may help reduce stress.
• Resting in a supportive position, like lying on your back with pillows under your knees, may feel more comfortable
• Avoid curling up or sinking too far into a lounge, which can push your pelvis into a shape that strains the lower back
• Short breaks throughout the day are often better than staying in one place for hours at a time
Having said this, too much time lying down can work against you. Muscles tighten when held too long in one position, blood flow slows, and joints can stiffen.
The key for many people is to balance short, helpful rest with small movements that keep the body from tightening up more.
How Movement Supports Healing
Even small movements can play a helpful role when you're working through sciatica. Unless the pain is too sharp to walk, gentle activity tends to help the body recover more steadily than lying still all day.
• Short walks, even around the house, can support nerve and blood flow
• Light stretching or gentle core support movements (done in line with what feels comfortable) may take pressure off the lower spine
• Keeping good posture when sitting or standing helps reduce extra strain on the irritated nerve
Moving more doesn't mean pushing through pain. It means listening to what your body will allow and avoiding heavy or jerky motions.
Can Chiropractic help sciatic pain?
When pain feels stuck, or movement doesn’t change much, it's natural to want another path.
A chiropractic adjustment is a hands-on way to improve how joints in the spine move. It involves gentle and specific movements applied to joints that may be restricted or not moving well, especially in the lower back or pelvis.
• By improving spinal motion, a chiropractic adjustment may help take pressure off areas irritating the sciatic nerve
• Smoother joint movement can lead to better muscle balance, which often helps the body move more freely
• For some, this type of care feels helpful when their regular habits haven’t made much difference
At Align Chiropractic, Dr. Martin Harvey and Dr. Kieran Whelan use our extensive experience to focus on relieving pressure in the spine, pelvis, and related muscles.
The care we provide is specific and individualised, with thorough assessments to identify the underlying factors contributing to pain. This patient-centred approach is designed to help people in South Melbourne and surrounding areas move more freely and recover from sciatica flare-ups with confidence.
It's not about cracking or forcing the spine. It's about looking at how things are moving and helping the body work in a more balanced way. Anything that reduces the everyday pressure on the lower nerves may shift how sciatica feels.
Finding Your Best Path Forward
Every body is different. What helps one person’s sciatica feel better might not be the same for someone else, which is why it makes sense to pay close attention. Being too still or too active can both stir things up. Figuring out that middle ground takes time, and some trial and error.
• Gentle movement, well-timed rest, and support from trusted health providers each play a part
• Summer usually means more plans, more travel, and more time outside, which many find puts new stresses on the spine
• Catching early signs of back or leg discomfort can help avoid longer flare-ups
When sciatica strikes, the goal isn’t just to get through the pain but to understand what your body needs to move and feel better long-term. Watching those patterns and adjusting your habits often makes a bigger difference than doing just one thing.
At Align Chiropractic, we understand how disruptive sciatica can be, especially during busy times of the year. Not sure whether movement, rest, or extra support is right for you? Discover how a well-timed chiropractic adjustment can support your spine and help relieve tension in your lower back and pelvis. We’re here to help you find what works for you. For guidance tailored to your needs, contact us to book a visit.