- No referral needed
- Direct billing available
- Assessment first
Sciatica
Sciatica treatment in North York.
Pain that travels from your back into your leg has a cause worth identifying properly. We assess what is irritating the nerve before treating it, rather than working on where it hurts.
726 Gordon Baker Road, North York · Free on-site parking · Open Saturdays & Sundays
What it feels like
It follows a path, and that is the clue.
Sciatic pain travels. It typically runs from the lower back or buttock down the back of the thigh, sometimes past the knee to the calf or foot. That trail is what distinguishes it from ordinary back pain, and it is what tells us which nerve level is involved.
Common symptoms
- Sharp, burning or electric pain down one leg
- Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens on sitting, coughing or sneezing
- Weakness pushing off or lifting the foot
- Symptoms usually on one side rather than both
Where it comes from
Most often a disc bulge pressing on a nerve root, or narrowing of the space the nerve travels through. Occasionally the nerve is irritated further along its path. Treatment combines settling the irritation with restoring the movement and strength that takes pressure off it.
What to expect
Progress is measured in function, not just pain.
A useful early sign is not that the leg stops hurting, but that the pain retreats closer to your back — a shorter trail usually means the nerve is settling. Your practitioner will explain what to watch for so you can tell whether you are moving in the right direction between visits.
Also treated here
Other things we see every week.
Back pain
Lower and upper back pain, from a sudden strain to pain that has quietly become normal.
Learn moreNeck pain & headaches
Stiffness, desk-related strain and the headaches that often come with them.
Learn moreShoulder pain
Rotator cuff injuries, impingement and the slow stiffening of a frozen shoulder.
Learn moreTMJ & jaw pain
Jaw clicking, clenching and pain that radiates to the ear or temple.
Learn moreTennis elbow & forearm strain
Elbow and forearm pain from racquets, keyboards and repetitive work alike.
Learn moreKnee pain
From a twist on the stairs to pain that flares with every run — assessed before it is treated.
Learn morePlantar fasciitis & heel pain
That first-steps-in-the-morning heel pain, and the foot mechanics behind it.
Learn moreHip pain
Groin, outer-hip and buttock pain — including the hip problems that get mistaken for back trouble.
Learn moreFrozen shoulder
Shoulder stiffness that worsens in stages — distinct from a rotator cuff injury, and treated differently.
Learn moreCarpal tunnel & wrist pain
Numbness, tingling and night-time hand symptoms from the wrist, keyboard and repetitive work.
Learn moreAnkle sprain
The rolled ankle that never quite settled, and the instability that follows it.
Learn moreArthritis & joint stiffness
Stiff, aching joints — strength and movement for osteoarthritis, and referral when the pattern says something else.
Learn moreSports injury rehab
Getting back to sport against criteria rather than a calendar — and not getting injured again on the way.
Learn moreDesk posture & ergonomics
Neck, back and wrist strain from a desk job — the workstation, the working day, and the symptoms both have caused.
Learn moreFalls prevention & balance
Unsteadiness, near-misses and confidence after a fall — balance and strength work for older adults.
Learn moreWhiplash
Neck injury after a collision — treated here, and billed to your auto insurer.
Learn moreCommon questions
Answers before you book.
Is sciatica a diagnosis?
Not quite — it is a description of a symptom. Sciatica means pain travelling along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg. The useful question is what is irritating that nerve, and that is what the assessment sets out to establish.
Will it go away on its own?
Often, yes. Many cases of nerve-related leg pain settle over weeks to a few months as the irritation calms down. Treatment is aimed at making that period more bearable, keeping you moving, and addressing what caused the irritation so it is less likely to recur.
Do I need surgery?
The large majority of people with sciatica never need it. Surgery is generally considered when symptoms are severe and persistent despite conservative treatment, or when there is progressive nerve weakness. If we think you need a surgical opinion, we will tell you and recommend you see your doctor.
Why does it hurt in my leg if the problem is in my back?
Because the nerve runs from your lower back down through the leg. When it is compressed or irritated near the spine, the brain often interprets the signal as coming from further along the nerve — which is why the leg can hurt more than the back that is causing it.
Is it covered by insurance?
Most extended health plans cover physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapy, and we direct bill the major providers. If your sciatica followed a car accident or a workplace injury, it runs through your auto insurer or WSIB instead and we handle that paperwork.
Question not answered here? Call 647.710.6927, send us a message, or book online and ask at your visit.
Ready when you are
Book a sciatica assessment.
Online booking through Fresha, or call the clinic during opening hours.
Booking opens our profile on Fresha, our online booking system — real-time availability and an emailed confirmation.