Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on October 23, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580
Sciatica causes sharp, burning or radiating pain from the lower back into the buttock and leg. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling and pain when sitting, walking or sleeping.
At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre in Oakville, Doctor Steve Knighton and our physiotherapy team assess the cause of sciatic nerve pain and provide individualized treatment using suction IFC, shockwave therapy when appropriate, chiropractic adjustments, muscle release therapy and rehabilitation exercises.
Our evidence-based treatment approach includes manual Adjustments, IFC, Muscle Release Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, and Acupuncture to provide lasting sciatic relief in Oakville. While true sciatica can take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal, Recovery varies with the cause and severity of symptoms. We reassess your progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Our Oakville physiotherapy clinic provides hands-on care and individualized rehabilitation to help manage sciatica symptoms and restore comfortable movement.
Book a Sciatica Treatment Appointment
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed somewhere along its path from the lower back into the leg. Patients visiting our clinic in Oakville often describe a very specific pattern of symptoms that travel from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg.
Common symptoms of sciatica may include:
• pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down the leg
• burning or sharp pain running down the back of the thigh
• numbness or tingling in the calf or foot
• weakness in the leg or difficulty lifting the foot
• pain that worsens when sitting for long periods
• discomfort when standing up after sitting
• pain that increases with coughing, sneezing, or bending
Many patients from Milton, Burlington, and Mississauga seek sciatica treatment at our Oakville clinic after these symptoms begin to interfere with work, driving, or sleep.
Understanding the pattern of sciatic nerve pain helps determine whether the irritation is coming from the lower spine, sacroiliac joint, or surrounding muscles such as the piriformis.
If you have been diagnosed with Sciatica, our Oakville sciatic treatment professionals will begin treatment with Interferential Current Therapy and some Heat. This will feel like a deep massage and help start the healing process. The heat and the electric stimulation from the IFC will increase blood flow, lessen pain and help relax the tissues.
Dr. Steve uses the IFC and heat treatment to get blood flow to the damaged area that is strangling the sciatic nerve. The modalities help loosen up the tissue and prime the area for shockwave therapy.
Many people searching for sciatica treatment in Mississauga and surrounding areas are surprised to learn that the source of the pain is often in the lower back or piriformis muscle rather than the leg itself.
After 10 minutes of IFC and heat our treatment team will shockwave the affected area. The area depends on the patient, but is usually the outside of the bum, lower back or closer to the hip on the sciatica side.
Shockwave is an air powered gun that shoots a bullet 15 times a second against an applicator head. Most patients will start with 1200 to 1800 “hits” to the affected area and then work their way up to 2000+ “hits” as they begin to heal.
Dr. Steve uses a specific Storz Applicator Head called the D20-T High Energy Shockwave Applicator Head. This specific head penetrates up to 55mm and provides energy to tissue far beyond the reach of his thumbs or any other modern modality or therapies.
Shockwave therapy is often used at our clinic to help treat sciatica by reducing tension in the piriformis muscle and surrounding tissues that can compress the sciatic nerve. Patients frequently travel from Milton, Burlington, and Mississauga for shockwave therapy when dealing with stubborn sciatica pain.
Shockwave therapy is increasingly used to help treat chronic sciatic nerve pain by improving blood flow and reducing muscle tension around the nerve.
Once the Shockwave therapy has been completed our sciatica treatment team will perform some deep trigger point therapy and some ART. This will usually be in the gluteal muscles or the piriformis muscles of the affected sciatica leg.
Active Release Therapy consists of Dr. Steve pressing his thumbs into a damaged muscle around the patients bum and moving the patient’s leg/knee/foot. Trigger point therapy is similar but without the moving of the leg.
Our Oakville sciatic specialists might have the patient face down or on their side for this type of hands on treatment, dependent on the patient’s diagnosis and pain presentation.
Almost all sciatica patients receive a low back and mid-back adjustment if tolerated. Adjusting the low back realigns the SI joints and lumbar spine, relieving nerve pressure that may be causing sciatica. The patient lies on their side for this adjustment.
The lower mid-back is also commonly adjusted to release joint restrictions, reduce tension, and alleviate nerve compression. This helps patients stand straighter and reduces strain on the lower back. This adjustment is typically performed with the patient face-up, as the chiropractor applies controlled pressure. It looks and feels like a big hug. If the joints move, most patients will notice an improvement in posture the moment they get off the table.
Our expert Oakville chiropractic team identifies three primary causes of sciatica: disc herniation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and piriformis syndrome. We’ll discuss each in detail!
Sciatica is nerve pain that travels through the buttock and down the leg, sometimes causing tingling, numbness or weakness. It involves irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots.
Common causes include herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis and, less commonly, piriformis syndrome. SI joint dysfunction can also produce buttock and leg pain that mimics sciatica without necessarily involving nerve compression. Read the SI joint research.
At our Oakville clinic, Doctor Steve and our chiropractic and physiotherapy team assess your symptoms to identify their likely source and build a treatment plan around your needs.
Pregnancy-related buttock or leg pain also needs assessment because it is not always true sciatica. Learn more about sciatica and chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Vinaya Chitgopkar, our physiotherapist at Glen Abbey Physiotherapy in Oakville, assesses how sciatic nerve pain affects your movement, strength and daily activities.
Your sciatica rehabilitation plan combines exercises and hands-on care selected for your symptoms, with practical advice for sitting, lifting and returning to activity. Vinaya adjusts your home exercise program as you progress, helping you build strength and move more comfortably.
For physiotherapy for sciatica or radiating leg pain, call 905-827-4197 to book an assessment at our clinic at 1131 Nottinghill Gate, Oakville.
Acupuncture is another treatment option available for patients with sciatica and radiating leg pain at our Oakville clinic. Dr. Jenn Garven provides Contemporary Medical Acupuncture and may incorporate acupuncture when it is appropriate for the patient’s specific presentation.
Sciatica can develop from several different problems, including irritation of a lumbar nerve root, a disc injury or significant muscular tension around the gluteal and piriformis region. Dr. Jenn first assesses where the symptoms appear to be coming from rather than using the same acupuncture points for every patient with sciatic pain.
Acupuncture may be directed toward selected muscles and tissues around the lower back, hip, buttock or leg to help reduce pain sensitivity and muscular guarding associated with the condition. It does not physically remove a disc herniation or correct every cause of nerve compression, which is why determining the underlying cause of the sciatica remains important.
Patients specifically interested in acupuncture can learn more about our Acupuncture in Oakville program, meet Dr. Jenn Garven, or read our Oakville Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions covering how acupuncture works, what treatment feels like, safety, appointments and other common questions.
Sciatica symptoms usually occur when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed by structures in the lower back or surrounding muscles.
A herniated lumbar disc is one of the most common causes of true sciatica. When the disc bulges or ruptures, it can compress the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, leading to pain that travels from the lower back into the leg. Herniated discs and lumbar spinal stenosis can both irritate or compress spinal nerve roots.
Disc injuries exist on a spectrum. The mildest form may involve a small disc bulge, while more significant cases can involve a true disc herniation. At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, we most commonly see these injuries in patients between the ages of 20–45. They often develop after heavy lifting, repetitive bending, prolonged sitting, or chronic overloading of the spine. Poor core strength and lack of regular exercise can increase susceptibility.
In many cases, advanced imaging such as X-ray or MRI is not required to begin effective treatment. A detailed clinical examination is often sufficient to identify signs of disc involvement and nerve irritation. Unfortunately, some patients wait several months for imaging before starting care, allowing the condition to progress into a more chronic and difficult-to-treat stage.
Early intervention matters. Addressing inflammation, improving mobility, and restoring spinal stability as soon as symptoms begin can significantly accelerate recovery. In fact, many patients experience substantial improvement well before an MRI is ever performed.
SI Joint Syndrome is the most common cause of lower back pain at our Oakville Clinic. The sacroiliac joint is the connection between the pelvis and the spine. These joints can refer pain down the back of the leg when they’re inflamed or dysfunctional.
The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis. Research suggests SI joint dysfunction may account for 15–30% of chronic low back pain cases and can produce symptoms that closely mimic sciatica.
Pregnancy, a leg length inequality or lifting can all be causes of this pain. Pain is usually aggravated by any movement so it can be an intrusive pain to have! Most SI injuries will be worse with a sit to stand motion. The pain will be on one side and can be an 11/10.
Many patients report low back pain days to weeks before experiencing an episode of severe sciatic pain! The root cause could be coming from the patient’s lumbar spine or even the muscles of the lower back like the Quadratus Lumborum.
There is a muscle in the bum called the piriformis and It can squeeze the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica. If this muscle gets too tight it can cause symptoms down the back of the leg. This pain feels like a literal pain in the butt! It typically feels worse with sitting, but getting up and moving alleviates some of the pain. Piriformis Stretch Here.
The piriformis muscle sits deep in the buttock and lies directly over the sciatic nerve. Tightness or spasm in this muscle can compress the nerve and cause pain that radiates down the leg. Many patients experiencing sciatica from piriformis syndrome are suffering from anterior pelvic tilt and hip flexor tightness.
We regularly treat patients traveling from Milton, Burlington, and Mississauga for sciatica treatment at our Oakville clinic.
So if your pain is running down the back of your leg, book an appointment to see Dr. Steve or Dr. Jenn. With all of these conditions, the sooner you can get them addressed the better! Don’t waste any time and come see the team at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre to get rid of your pain!
If you are experiencing sciatic nerve pain in Oakville, early evaluation can help identify the cause and begin treatment before symptoms worsen. Our chiropractic and physiotherapy team regularly treats patients from Oakville, Milton, Burlington, and Mississauga suffering from sciatica symptoms.
Pain in the buttock or hip can come from several areas, and not every case is sciatica. The assessment also checks the lumbar spine, SI region, surrounding muscles and, when the symptoms fit, the thoracolumbar junction. Learn how TL junction pain can overlap with low-back and glute symptoms
Dr. Steve and his staff have been integral in keeping me in shape to continue to train. Dr. Steve understands the peculiarities of my back and is able to treat me in a manner that I am comfortable with and gets results. He is also very helpful in providing alternative... read more
Scott CampbellDr. Steve and his assistant Laura did a great job of healing my jaw pain. Laura was always so professional and her Shockwave treatment really helped ease the pain.
![Suzanne Di Stefano [Staff] Avatar](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjVVBaTrZmdNMyTEvH2oSjRTe9OJv9g3RWcD3b6nbFw36AAxGNuG=s120-c-rp-mo-br100)
Suzanne Di Stefano [Staff]Best place I’ve been to for chiro and physio…
Gregory EllisSteve is awesome! Helps my aching problems every visit and sends me stretches to help that I can do at home. I have a love/hate relationship with the machines but definitely worth it! Steve comes in after the machines and does his magic! So happy I found his services 😀... read more
Kim HavenaarThis is the second time I go to this clinic with two different painful afflictions and both times they have been able to give me back my wellbeing. Thank you Dr. Steve and staff.
LauraI’ve had such a great experience with Dr. Steve and the entire team at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre. From the moment you walk in, everyone is welcoming, professional, and genuinely caring. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among the staff, and it creates such a positive, comfortable atmosphere. You can... read more
Shawna MarieI found the clinic while looking for shockwave therapy to help with relapse in elbow pain. I was really short on time to get ready for a sporting event, and Dr. Steve and the team at Nottinghill made sure my treatment was a priority. They were able to address the... read more
Fauwad KhanReally great service! Dr. Steven is very humorous and treats all your issues. The staffs are all super friendly and will check up on your health regularly. Overall very enjoyable experience.
Crystal Zhaovery well organized!!! Dr.very professional highly reccomended!!!
yaroslav dvorskyySeek emergency medical care for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or significant rapidly progressing leg weakness. These symptoms may indicate serious nerve compression requiring urgent assessment.
If your sciatic pain symptoms are related to a workplace injury, learn how to start a WSIB claim and access approved treatment in Oakville.
Many patients travel from Milton, Burlington, and Mississauga to our clinic for evaluation and treatment of sciatica pain.
Sciatica symptoms can appear after a motor vehicle accident due to disc injuries or nerve irritation. Our clinic provides motor vehicle accident injury treatment in Oakville for patients experiencing leg pain and nerve symptoms following a collision.
The best treatment depends on whether your pain originates from a lumbar disc, irritated nerve root, spinal stenosis or surrounding muscles. At Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre, treatment is individualized and may include chiropractic care, physiotherapy, manual therapy and exercises.
Yes. Chiropractic care can help manage some forms of sciatica-related back and leg pain. Doctor Steve Knighton assesses spinal movement, neurological symptoms and contributing muscle restrictions before selecting appropriate adjustments, soft-tissue treatment and rehabilitation.
Yes. Physiotherapy in Oakville can help patients manage sciatic pain through movement assessment, targeted strengthening, mobility exercises and activity modification. Our physiotherapist, Vinaya Chitgopkar, develops individualized programs based on the source and severity of symptoms.
Shockwave therapy may be considered for selected associated muscular conditions, particularly persistent gluteal or piriformis-region pain. However, evidence for treating true lumbar nerve-root sciatica with shockwave is limited. Doctor Steve determines whether the modality is appropriate after assessing the cause of your symptoms.
Acupuncture may provide pain relief for some patients, although research is mixed and it isn’t recommended as routine sciatica treatment in all clinical guidelines. At our Oakville clinic, Dr. Jenn Garven provides contemporary medical acupuncture when appropriate as part of individualized care.
Our clinic uses suction-style Interferential Current Therapy (IFC), often with heat, as an optional initial comfort treatment. The electrical stimulation creates a gentle pulsing sensation. IFC does not remove disc compression or cure sciatica, and clinical guidelines do not recommend it as a primary treatment.
Active Release Therapy and trigger point techniques may help manage associated tightness and discomfort in the gluteal and piriformis muscles. These treatments are considered when the examination identifies a muscular component rather than relying on deep pressure for every type of sciatic pain.
Both can be appropriate depending on the diagnosis. Chiropractic care may focus on spinal mobility, manual treatment and exercise, while physiotherapy emphasizes movement rehabilitation, strengthening and restoring function. Our Oakville clinic offers chiropractic and physiotherapy under one roof.
Sciatica commonly produces pain, burning, tingling or numbness travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Regular lower back pain may remain localized. An examination helps distinguish nerve-root irritation from muscular and joint-related referred pain.
Yes. A lumbar disc herniation can irritate or compress a spinal nerve root, producing pain that travels into the buttock, calf or foot. Treatment depends on neurological findings, symptom severity and function. Most uncomplicated cases begin with conservative care.
Yes. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can refer pain into the buttock and thigh, sometimes resembling sciatic nerve pain. However, SI joint pain and true lumbar nerve-root sciatica are different conditions and require different assessment and treatment considerations.
Deep gluteal syndrome, sometimes called piriformis syndrome, can produce buttock pain and radiating leg symptoms that worsen with sitting. Not all sitting-related sciatic pain comes from the piriformis. The lumbar spine and neurological findings should also be assessed.
Many patients improve over several weeks, but more persistent nerve irritation can last months. Recovery depends on the underlying cause, neurological symptoms and aggravating activities. Our Oakville team reassesses progress and adjusts care rather than promising a fixed number of appointments.
Yes. Many uncomplicated cases improve naturally over time. Gentle activity, appropriate exercise and avoiding prolonged bed rest can support recovery. Persistent, worsening or recurrent symptoms deserve assessment, particularly when numbness or weakness develops.
Prolonged sitting can aggravate some lumbar disc conditions and deep gluteal pain syndromes. Driving also maintains a relatively fixed hip and back position. Changing positions, taking movement breaks and identifying the underlying cause can help reduce recurring discomfort.
Yes. Irritation of lumbar nerve roots can produce numbness, tingling, burning or altered sensation in the calf, ankle and foot. Progressive weakness, difficulty lifting the foot or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms require prompt medical assessment.
Usually not. Many cases can be assessed using a medical history, neurological examination and movement testing. MRI is generally reserved for situations where serious pathology is suspected, neurological deficits are progressing or imaging would change treatment decisions.
Walking, gentle movement and individualized strengthening exercises are commonly recommended. Some patients benefit from specific directional movements or nerve-mobility exercises, but aggressive stretching can worsen certain conditions. Our Oakville physiotherapy team tailors exercises to your symptoms and recovery stage.
Yes. Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre is located in Glen Abbey, Oakville, and welcomes patients from Milton, Burlington, Mississauga and surrounding communities. We offer chiropractic and physiotherapy appointments, private treatment rooms, direct insurance billing and Saturday availability.
Contact Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre at 905-827-4197 or text 289-228-8858. Our team will help arrange an appropriate chiropractic or physiotherapy assessment.
Content Reviewed By: Dr. Steve Knighton, B.Sc., D.C. on October 23, 2026
Chiropractic License Number: 5580
