Stapleton Chiropractic - trusted by Adelaide families for over 50 years
528 Marion Road · Plympton Park · Adelaide
That sharp, shooting pain from the lower back or buttock into the leg can make sitting, driving, and sleeping hard work. If you want to feel better and get a clearer picture of what may be going on, book a first visit: 7am to 7pm weekdays, Saturday mornings, and free on-site parking on Marion Road.
Sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. It is often related to irritation of a nerve root in the lower back, or of the sciatic nerve as it travels through the pelvis and hip. A chiropractic assessment with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) may help map what may be contributing and discuss suitable options. Individual presentations vary.
Everyone starts somewhere different.
Tap the one that sounds like you.
Clear steps. You stay in control of what happens next.
Your story, work demands, and what is getting in the way of normal days.
Movement, relevant orthopaedic tests, and a careful look at the area that bothers you.
Where possible, treatment may be provided on the first visit.*
*Only where clinically appropriate, based on clinical need and suitability. Individual responses vary.
What we found, what it may mean for you, and sensible options from here.
If care may help, we outline options. You choose whether and how to proceed.
Assessment findings and any care offered are individual. Treatment is only provided where clinically appropriate. Individual responses vary.
Clear numbers. No surprises.
SA average: $122*
SA average: $71*
After your assessment, you choose how you'd like to proceed. You choose what happens next.
*Australian Chiropractors Association Consultation Fee Survey 2025 (SA data). All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
The five things people usually want cleared first.
Yes, this is one of the common reasons people book here. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) examines you, explains what he finds in clear language, and maps a next step. Individual responses vary. If this is not the right path, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.
Initial consultation $69. Standard visit $60. Over 40% below the SA average of $122 (ACA Fee Survey 2025). All major health funds accepted.
All major private health funds accepted where your cover applies.
No. Book directly. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) is happy to correspond with your GP when that is useful.
Your first visit is a real examination. Findings are explained in clear language. If it is not the right fit here, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction. You choose what happens next.
More questions further down the page. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses vary.
Choose a time that suits. No referral needed.
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · Marion Road, Adelaide
$69
Initial consultation
Open the live diary and pick a time that suits
Prefer to call? (08) 8297 5277
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Deeper answers if you want them. The booking path is still above.
Usually people use "sciatica" as a label for pain that runs from the lower back or buttock into the leg. That label is useful, but it is not the full story by itself.
Your visit is where we work out what may be driving your symptoms and what is sensible next. That may include care here, a short watch-and-review plan, imaging, or referral if that is the wiser path. You leave with a clear explanation, not a mystery.
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038. Free on-site parking at the clinic. Easy access via the main road if you are already driving past. Open in Maps.
There is no fixed number for everyone. Progress is reviewed regularly. Individual responses vary.
Not always. Imaging when clinically indicated. X-rays only with your agreement. Some pathways may be bulk billed where eligible.
You do not need a GP referral to see a chiropractor in Australia. If bladder or bowel change, saddle numbness, or rapidly progressing weakness is present, start with your GP or emergency care. For a more typical mechanical presentation, starting here is a common path. We will coordinate with your GP when imaging or further review is indicated.
Many people with sciatica-type pain are managed conservatively. Hands-on care is not right for every presentation. A careful assessment helps decide whether manual therapy is suitable, which techniques fit, and whether a gentler low-force option is wiser. Temporary soreness can occur after treatment. Serious adverse events are uncommon. Red flags go to medical services first.
Some episodes settle with time and sensible activity. Waiting is not always the best option if pain is severe or function is affected. A consultation helps you decide what is sensible next. Individual responses vary. We do not publish recovery timeframes.
Sciatica describes a symptom: pain along the path of the sciatic nerve. Slipped disc is a common description for a lumbar disc bulge or herniation. A disc problem may contribute to sciatica. You can also have a disc change without leg pain, or leg pain without a disc story. Assessment sorts the pattern. See our slipped disc page for the disc side in more detail.
Changing pelvic load during pregnancy may contribute to sciatic-type pain. If care is offered, it stays musculoskeletal and uses pregnancy-appropriate, lower-force options. This is not obstetric care. Individual presentations vary. Suitability is decided after assessment.
Many people continue to drive if they can do so safely. If pain, weakness, or numbness affects pedal control or concentration, do not drive and seek medical advice. We can discuss sitting comfort after assessment. This is not a driving clearance.
Many people find side-lying with a pillow between the knees more comfortable. Some prefer lying on the back with a pillow under the knees. What helps you is individual. We can talk this through after assessment.
A single nerve root or one side of the pelvis is often more irritated than the other. That is why symptoms commonly stay on one side. Both legs can be involved. The pattern is a clue, not a diagnosis.
Several patterns can look similar. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Sciatica often sits next to these presentations. Tap a card for more detail. This list is not exhaustive.
Disc-related nerve root irritation may travel into the leg. Assessment decides whether that story fits you.
Tap for more
Local back ache often travels with sciatica-type presentations. We assess both together.
Tap for more Nerve root presentations in the neck or lower back. Assessment maps the path.
Tap for moreDeep buttock patterns that may mimic or mix with sciatica-type pain.
Tap for moreThis list is not exhaustive. If care is not the right fit here, we can help refer and point you in the right direction.
Tap for moreGeneral information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.
Many sciatica-type presentations are mechanical. Call 000 or attend ED if you develop any of the following.
New difficulty with urine, incontinence, or new saddle numbness.
Foot drop or a sudden inability to stand on toes or heels that is worsening quickly.
Major fall, crash, or impact with severe pain.
Unexplained systemic symptoms that do not behave like ordinary mechanical pain.
General information only, not medical advice. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure, contact your GP, healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or emergency services.
A short orientation only. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Sometimes. Not always. The starting point is a careful assessment, not a label.
The sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots that exit the lower back, mainly L4, L5, and S1. When one of those roots is irritated, pain, pins and needles, or numbness may travel into the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.
A lumbar disc bulge or herniation is one common reason a nerve root may be irritated. It is not the only one. Pain that travels below the knee and flares with a cough or sneeze may relate to a lumbar nerve root. Pain that stays in the buttock and is reproduced by specific hip movements may relate more to the gluteal region. Those clues help. They do not diagnose you from a webpage.
Guideline-level care for suspected disc-related nerve-root pain usually starts conservative, with red-flag screening, then review. If a local hip or pelvis driver looks more likely, hands-on care and rehabilitation of that region may take priority. Read more on our slipped disc page, or book so we can assess your pattern.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Guideline and review-level context for conversation. Individual responses vary. This is not a personal prognosis.
NICE NG59 and the American College of Physicians guideline recommend non-pharmacological care as a first-line option for low back pain with or without sciatica, when suitable. Manual therapy may be considered as part of a package with exercise. Routine imaging is not the default.
NICE NG59 · Qaseem et al., 2017 · PMID 28192789
A double-blind trial compared active spinal manipulation with a simulated technique in people with acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion. Active care was associated with greater relief of local and radiating pain in that trial. Individual responses vary.
Santilli et al., 2006 · PMID 16517383
A small randomised study compared spinal manipulation with microdiscectomy in people with disc-related sciatica who had not responded to other care. Some participants improved on either path. That is study context, not a prediction for you.
McMorland et al., 2010 · PMID 21036279
Research suggests spinal manipulative therapy may help some people with low back pain, including presentations with referred leg pain. Suitability depends on assessment. Adverse events in reviews are generally described as minor and transient.
Rubinstein et al., 2012 · PMID 22972127 · Rubinstein et al., 2019 · PMID 30867144
Research suggests many low back and radicular presentations are managed with non-surgical care, activity advice, and review. Imaging and referral when red flags or non-response warrant them.
Traeger et al., 2017 · PMID 29133540
Serious pathology is uncommon. Screening still matters. Bladder change, progressive weakness, or trauma with severe pain means urgent medical care first.
Downie et al., 2013 · PMID 24335669
Care is discussed after assessment. Progress is reviewed regularly. If imaging, your GP, or another path is wiser, we say so. Individual responses vary.
Conversation context, not a personal prognosis
Citations support a conversation. They do not promise your outcome. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will explain what he finds and what is sensible next. You choose.
Book a first visit to apply this to you
| Question | Chiropractic here | Physiotherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Lumbar and pelvic mechanics, neurological screen, and hands-on care including adjustments where suitable | Often more exercise-focused or soft-tissue-centric |
| Exercise | Exercises and stretches may be prescribed where appropriate, alongside hands-on care | Exercise rehabilitation is often a main focus |
| Soft tissue | In-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visit | Soft-tissue work varies by clinic |
| Referral needed? | No. Book directly | No |
| Plan or contract? | You choose the next step | Varies by clinic |
| If this is not the right fit | We refer and point you in the right direction | Your physio may refer on |
Citations support conversation, not a guarantee. Not a diagnosis. Individual responses vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Three common situations. Tap a card. This is orientation, not a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.
What you need for a smooth first visit.
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 Free on-site parking at the clinic.
Get directionsAll major health funds accepted where your cover applies.
Comfortable clothing. Recent imaging or reports if you have them. No referral needed.
on Marion Road
Est. 1972
