Low Back Pain & Sciatica

People often come to us describing:

• A deep ache across the lower back
• Sudden sharp pain when bending, lifting or twisting
• Pain radiating into the buttock, thigh, calf or foot
• Pins and needles or numbness down one leg
• Stiffness getting out of bed or after sitting
• A sensation of the back “locking” or “catching”

If this sounds familiar, our chiropractors can help identify the underlying cause and create a personalised plan to help you recover.

Back pain can start suddenly, build up over time, or flare up repeatedly. Understanding the underlying pattern helps us treat it more effectively.

Chronic (long-term) back pain – when symptoms creep up gradually

For many people in Edinburgh, back pain develops slowly due to:

• Sedentary work and long hours at the computer
• Poor posture or ergonomics
• Repetitive movements or manual handling
• Previous injuries that never fully healed
• Weak or deconditioned core and hip muscles

Left untreated, chronic back pain can become progressively more limiting – but with the right care, most people improve significantly.

Acute (sudden) back pain – when the back “goes”

Acute episodes often follow:

• A sudden twist or awkward movement
• Lifting something heavy
• Sports injuries
• Slipping or tripping
• Waking up after sleeping awkwardly

This type of pain is usually related to irritation of joints, discs or surrounding soft tissues. Acute pain can be severe, but responds very well to chiropractic care.

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic nerve – the large nerve running from your lower back through your hips, buttocks and down each leg.

Common sciatica symptoms include:

• Sharp, shooting pain into the buttock or leg
• Numbness, tingling or “pins and needles”
• Weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain that worsens when sitting, coughing or bending
• Pain on one side more than the other

Causes of sciatica often include:

• Disc bulges/prolapses placing pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Joint irritation in the lower spine
• Muscle tightening or spasm, especially around the gluteals
• Inflammation of surrounding tissues

Our highly experienced team of chiropractors are trained to differentiate true sciatica from other causes of leg pain and provide targeted, evidence-based treatment.

Every treatment plan is customised. Based on your examination, we may use:

• Gentle spinal manipulation to restore joint motion
• Mobilisation for stiffness
• Soft tissue techniques and muscle release
• Trigger point therapy
• Dry Needling (Western acupuncture) — where indicated
• Rehabilitation exercises to build strength and prevent recurrence
• Posture and ergonomic guidance tailored to your work or lifestyle

Our approach follows current NICE NG59 guidance and the Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) Low Back Pain and Sciatica Quality Standard, ensuring your care is safe, appropriate and evidence-led.

Step 1 – Consultation

We begin with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, goals and health history.

Step 2 – Comprehensive Examination

This includes orthopaedic, neurological and functional tests to identify the source of your pain and rule out serious causes.

Step 3 – Clear explanation

You’ll receive a full explanation of:

• What’s causing your pain
• Why it’s happening
• What we can do to help
• How long recovery should take

Step 4 – Treatment Plan

If appropriate, treatment typically begins at your first visit, with a step-by-step plan and advice for home care.

RCC Quality Standard & NICE Guideline Compliance

At Morningside Chiropractic, we follow the Royal College of Chiropractors (RCC) Low Back Pain and Sciatica Quality Standard — the recognised UK benchmark for high-quality chiropractic care.

This means:

🟩 Rapid Access

We aim to offer appointments within five working days of first contact (or sooner where possible).

🟩 Comprehensive Assessment

Every patient receives a full clinical examination including neurological testing, red-flag screening and discussion of psychosocial factors that can influence recovery.

🟩 Responsible Imaging

We do not use X-rays or MRI scans routinely. Imaging is only recommended when clinically justified and when the result will change management — consistent with RCC and NICE NG59.

🟩 Shared Decision-Making

We explain options clearly, support informed consent and involve you in every stage of planning your care.

🟩 Individualised, Multimodal Treatment

Care may include manual therapy, dry needling, rehabilitation and personalised advice — always tailored to your goals and condition.

🟩 Outcome Monitoring & Safety

We monitor your progress using validated outcome measures. If symptoms do not improve as expected, we reassess or liaise with your GP.

🟩 Collaborative Healthcare

We communicate with GPs and other health professionals when appropriate to ensure coordinated, safe care.

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