Côte Saint-Luc • Montreal
Sciatica Treatment in Côte Saint-Luc
Pain that starts in the buttock, runs down the back of the thigh and sometimes into the foot: sciatica disrupts sleep, desk work and walking. At Réhabital, we first identify the exact source of compression — lumbar disc, piriformis muscle or sacroiliac joint — then treat it hands-on with osteopathy, supported by our physiotherapy and massage therapy teams when needed.
Recognizing true sciatica
Not every buttock pain is sciatica. We speak of sciatic pain when the discomfort follows a precise nerve path: low back or buttock, back of the thigh, calf, and sometimes the ankle and foot. It is often described as burning, an electric shock or a deep ache, and may come with numbness, tingling or a feeling of leg weakness. A hallmark sign: pain is usually one-sided and worsens with prolonged sitting, coughing or moving from sitting to standing.
Conversely, diffuse low back pain that does not travel below the knee, without numbness or loss of strength, more often points to mechanical low back pain or sacroiliac dysfunction. That distinction is exactly what the initial assessment at Réhabital establishes, using validated neurological and orthopedic tests.
Red flags: loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the saddle region, significant progressive leg weakness, or associated fever. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
The most frequent causes
Lumbar disc herniation
The nucleus of the L4-L5 or L5-S1 disc bulges and compresses the nerve root. Pain is often aggravated by coughing, sneezing and prolonged sitting.
Piriformis syndrome
A tight or hypertrophied piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve in the buttock. Common in runners, cyclists and people who sit all day.
Sacroiliac dysfunction
Reduced mobility of the sacroiliac joint changes load distribution and irritates adjacent nerve fibres.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Age-related narrowing of the lumbar canal compresses the nerve roots. Pain typically eases when leaning forward.
Pregnancy and postpartum
Uterine weight, relaxin and pelvic tilt increase tension on the sciatic nerve, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Prolonged sitting posture
Desk work without active breaks raises disc pressure, shortens the psoas and deactivates the glutes — ideal ground for sciatic pain.
Ready to try sciatica treatment in Côte Saint-Luc?
Appointments usually available the same week · Open weekday evenings until 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. · Online booking 24/7 on Jane App, directly with the practitioner of your choice.
The osteopathic approach, step by step
Osteopathy does more than relieve pain: it looks for the mechanical reason the nerve is compressed. Our founder Shahram Ghasemi, MD (Iran), DOMP, and the Réhabital osteopathy team follow a structured protocol, described in detail on our osteopathy page in Côte Saint-Luc.
- 1
A 75-minute assessment: history, neurological and orthopedic testing (Lasègue, Slump, FAIR) to locate the source of compression.
- 2
Hands-on treatment: lumbar and sacroiliac mobilization, myofascial work on the piriformis and posterior chain, gentle sciatic neurodynamics.
- 3
Immediate guidance: sleeping positions, workstation ergonomics, pain management between sessions.
- 4
Progressive exercise program: hip mobility, glute activation, core control — coordinated with our physiotherapy team when needed.
- 5
Reassessment at the 3rd session and plan adjustment based on your progress.
A multidisciplinary approach
Our articles on sciatica
Frequently asked questions about sciatica
Don’t let sciatica become chronic
The longer nerve compression lasts, the longer recovery takes. Book a 75-minute assessment in Côte Saint-Luc — evenings and Sundays available.