Evidence-based sciatica care at Auckland Wellness Centre, chiropractic, sports acupuncture, and rehabilitation for lumbar radiculopathy, piriformis syndrome, disc-related nerve pain, and chronic sciatic patterns.
Last clinically reviewed: May 2026 by Dr. Jun Chung, Doctor of Chiropractic, NZ College of Chiropractic Graduate, ACC-registered. Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current peer-reviewed evidence (Lewis et al., 2015, Spine J).
Quick Answer
At Auckland Wellness Centre on the North Shore, we treat sciatica through chiropractic adjustment, sports acupuncture, spinal decompression, and targeted rehabilitation. Our approach addresses the biomechanical root cause (lumbar disc position, piriformis tension, pelvic alignment) rather than just the symptom. ACC patients pay a co-payment per session and no GP referral is required.
Measured Care
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so the first job is locating what is loading the nerve. That assessment produces numbers, and those numbers are what we work against for the rest of the plan.
We record pelvic obliquity and lumbar lordosis from a PostureScreen standing capture, then measure straight leg raise in degrees on both sides and run a neurological screen covering reflexes, myotome strength and dermatome sensation. Where imaging is clinically indicated, we refer you for lumbar X-ray so the lordosis is measured rather than assumed.
The findings decide the combination. Adjusting is directed at the lumbar and sacroiliac levels that test as restricted, and Win Trac spinal decompression is used where the leg pain tracks with disc involvement. Rehabilitation loading is added once the irritable phase settles. Few Auckland clinics run adjusting and decompression under one roof.
Straight leg raise, the neurological screen and the posture capture are repeated at 4 and 8 weeks against your own starting figures. Centralisation, meaning leg symptoms moving back toward the spine, is recorded session by session because it is the earliest thing that changes.
Spinal measurement and X-ray analysis at Auckland Wellness Centre follow the Chiropractic BioPhysics protocol. Dr. Michael Blandy is one of about six CBP-trained chiropractors in New Zealand and reads the CBP line drawings on your images. Research into how closely structural change tracks with symptom change is still developing, so we report what we measure, what we do, and what your own follow-up numbers show. More on the method is on our posture correction page, and how a course of care is structured is on our care plans page. Every measurement named here is set out in full on our spinal and posture assessment page. If you are already four weeks in without much change, we have written up what should happen at that review. Decompression itself is explained on our spinal decompression page.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, it describes nerve pain along the sciatic distribution. The underlying cause is usually disc bulge, piriformis tension, or facet joint irritation. Identifying which is what separates lasting recovery from temporary relief.
Pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and down the back of the leg, often with tingling or numbness. Common after prolonged sitting or lifting. Worse with sneezing or coughing.
A disc pressing on the nerve root, the most common cause. Many disc-related sciatica cases resolve without surgery when conservative care is applied early (Lewis et al., 2015).
Tight piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve. Often misdiagnosed. Responds well to combined sports acupuncture, dry needling, and targeted release work.
Persistent or recurring sciatic pain over months. Acupuncture has supporting evidence for chronic radicular pain relief without medication side effects.
Treatment Options
Each approach targets a different mechanism. Our first-visit assessment determines which combination is best for your specific sciatica pattern.
| Approach | Best for | ACC Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Chiropractic adjustment | Lumbar facet dysfunction, postural patterns | Yes (if injury-related) |
| Sports acupuncture | Piriformis syndrome, chronic nerve pain | Yes (if injury-related) |
| Spinal decompression | Disc bulge with nerve root compression | Yes (if injury-related) |
| Rehabilitation exercise | Core weakness, recurrence prevention | As part of ACC plan |
Our Difference
Most clinics treat sciatica with rest and pain medication. We combine modalities under one roof, chiropractic, sports acupuncture, spinal decompression, and rehabilitation, to address the root cause.
Chiropractic, sports acupuncture, spinal decompression, and rehabilitation under one roof, allowing your care team to combine treatments instead of working in silos.
No GP referral required for sciatica resulting from injury. Lifting injuries, sports strains, and accident-related sciatica fully assessed for ACC eligibility at your first visit.
Korean and Chinese-speaking practitioners available for sciatica consultations, serving North Shore's diverse community.
Same-week appointments available. Free parking on-site. Wheelchair accessible. Two minutes off Albany Expressway.
From Our Clinical Team
In our clinical experience treating sciatica in North Shore Auckland, we've seen a clear pattern: conservative care produces meaningful improvements when applied early. The 2015 systematic review in Spine J (Lewis et al.) showed conservative care produces meaningful improvements for disc-related sciatica without the risks of surgery, and the ACC Clinical Pathway explicitly recommends conservative management before more invasive options.
At AWC, every sciatica case follows our three-step integrated approach: (1) Biomechanical assessment to identify the root cause, we examine lumbar disc position, nerve root irritation pattern, piriformis tension, and pelvic alignment. (2) Targeted intervention combining chiropractic adjustment, sports acupuncture, and rehabilitation under one roof. (3) Functional rehabilitation with home exercises to prevent recurrence. This integrated model is what separates lasting recovery from temporary relief.
- The clinical team at Auckland Wellness Centre
Your Sciatica Care Team
Chiropractors and acupuncturists working together at one clinic, registered with their respective NZ professional bodies.
Principal Chiropractor
NZ College of Chiropractic Graduate, Registered with the Chiropractic Board of New Zealand. Founded AWC in 2013. Specialises in lumbar disc assessment, nerve-pain pattern recognition, and conservative sciatica care.
Chiropractor
NZ College of Chiropractic Graduate, Registered with the Chiropractic Board of New Zealand. Korean-speaking. Focuses on conservative care for disc-related sciatica, piriformis syndrome, and post-lifting injuries.
Acupuncturist (PhD)
Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand, Specialist Scope (Registration #1926). NZ's only PhD-qualified acupuncturist with CMCNZ Specialist scope. Treats chronic sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy with focus on nerve-pain pathways.
Acupuncturist
ACC Registered Treatment Provider. Specialises in sports-related sciatica, work-injury sciatica, and acute lumbar radicular pain.
ACC Coverage
If your sciatica resulted from a lifting injury, fall, sport, or workplace incident, ACC covers most of the treatment cost. No GP referral required. We handle the ACC paperwork at your first visit.
Learn About ACC Coverage →Sciatica Treatment Across North Shore
Located just 2 minutes off the Albany Expressway with free on-site parking, we frequently welcome patients driving from across North Shore Auckland for sciatica treatment. Wheelchair accessible, EFTPOS & bank transfer accepted.
Common Questions
Related Treatments
Sciatica is often connected to other musculoskeletal issues. If you also experience these symptoms, the underlying cause may be shared.
An evidence-based guide to which sciatica treatments help and which to skip.
Why staying active beats bed rest for most sciatica, and how to do it safely.
Lower-back pain and sciatica share the same root cause. Treating both is often more effective.
Disc bulges are the most common cause of sciatica. Conservative care addresses both.
Non-surgical decompression reduces disc pressure on the nerve root.
Some sciatic-pattern pain originates at the hip. We assess for this overlap.
Visit Us
The same treatments run at both North Shore clinics. Free parking on-site. Wheelchair accessible at Rosedale. EFTPOS, debit, and bank transfer accepted.
E2/27 William Pickering Drive
Rosedale, Auckland 0632
Phone: 09 600 1939
Opening hours
| Monday | 9:00am – 7:00pm |
| Tuesday | 7:00am – 9:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am – 7:00pm |
| Thursday | 7:00am – 7:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am – 7:00pm |
| Saturday | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
| Sunday | 9:00am – 5:00pm |
177B Shakespeare Road
Milford, Auckland 0620
Phone: 09 281 3687
Open seven days. Hours match Rosedale.
Get directionsTwo clinics on the North Shore
Auckland Wellness Centre Rosedale
E2/27 William Pickering Drive
Rosedale, Auckland 0632
Auckland Wellness Centre Milford
177B Shakespeare Road
Milford, Auckland 0620
Book a Practitioner Directly
Founder · Chiropractor · TPI/ART
Book with Dr. Jun →Senior Chiropractor · CBP-trained · 20 yrs
Book with Dr. Michael Blandy →NZ’s Only Acupuncture Specialist · CMCNZ #1926
Book with Dr. Robin Won →ACC-accredited · No GP referral required · Same-week appointments usually available