Make an appointment for sciatic pain
Do you feel pain that starts from the lower back or buttock and radiates down the leg? This page helps you choose the right reason, the TAGMED center in Mont-Royal or Terrebonne, and the information to prepare before your visit.
SOS Sciatica is an educational site. Appointments are offered by the TAGMED Clinic, a separate organization that provides osteopathy and, when warranted by the evaluation, neurovertebral decompression.
Is this the right type of appointment?
An evaluation may be relevant if you have
- lower back, buttock, or hip pain that radiates down one leg;
- tingling or persistent numbness without urgent signs;
- a hernia, protrusion, or stenosis already described in an imaging report;
- recurring episodes or symptoms that limit walking, sleep, or work;
- need for conservative evaluation after insufficient or poorly tolerated treatments.
This appointment is not suitable for
- a medical or neurological emergency;
- obtaining a prescription, a work stoppage, or a medical imaging order;
- a procedure, surgery, or specialist doctor advice;
- replacing the follow-up prescribed by your doctor;
- ensuring a particular technique is suitable for you before the evaluation.
What reason to choose?
First evaluation — sciatica or radiating pain
For recent, persistent, or recurrent pain that radiates down the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot. Indicate the side, duration, and the lowest point reached.
Evaluation — neurovertebral decompression
To check if this option can be considered when the presentation is compatible with disc or root involvement. Eligibility cannot be decided before the interview, examination, and, if applicable, imaging study.
Follow-up or reevaluation
For a person already seen at the clinic, especially when symptoms have changed, reappeared, or require reevaluation after several visits.
Clarification of an existing file
To discuss MRI reports, X-rays, or CT scans in their clinical context. This is not a radiological interpretation or a specialized second medical opinion.
Choose the TAGMED center
The available slots and up-to-date fees are indicated by the clinic or its booking system. If no time slots are suitable, please contact the center directly.
Before booking: useful information
Symptom Journey
Note where the pain starts, how far it travels down, the most affected side, and any presence of tingling or numbness.
Progression
Specify the approximate date of onset, what aggravates or relieves it, the progression and its effect on walking, sleep, and work.
Strength and Function
Report any difficulty in walking on heels or toes, climbing stairs, lifting the foot, or controlling the leg.
Previous Exams
Indicate the date and area of any relevant MRI, X-ray, CT scan, or electromyography.
Treatments Already Tried
Prepare a list of medications, exercises, therapies, injections, or interventions, along with their effects and side effects.
Priority Questions
Write down two or three questions: probable cause, safety, allowed activities, options, and reevaluation criteria.
What to bring to your first visit?
- Written reports: MRI, X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, or electromyography available.
- List of medications and supplements: name, dosage if known, and reason for use.
- Health history: surgeries, accidents, major illnesses, allergies, and known contraindications.
- Relevant documents: consultation notes, infiltration report, or postoperative instructions.
- Insurance information: check in advance the type of professional and conditions covered by your contract.
What to expect during your first visit
According to the TAGMED Clinic FAQ, a first visit usually lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. The actual duration depends on the reason, complexity, and documents to review.
- Discussion: symptoms, function, history, objectives, and treatments already attempted.
- Adapted examination: movements, mechanical tolerance, and neurological screening when relevant.
- Context setting: comparison of findings with available imaging reports.
- Guidance: explanation of options, limitations, precautions, and situations requiring medical advice.
- Consent: an intervention is only carried out after discussion and only if deemed appropriate.
Services offered and limitations of this guidance
What the TAGMED Clinic offers in this pathway
- a tailored osteopathy assessment based on the reason;
- a discussion of findings and conservative options;
- motorized neurovertbral decompression when appropriate;
- a recommendation to consult a doctor or another professional when necessary.
What this appointment does not offer
- physiotherapy, chiropractic, injections or surgery;
- naturopathy or functional medicine;
- laser or shock waves to treat your back or sciatica;
- medical diagnosis, prescription, or guarantee of results.
The presence of a service at the clinic does not imply that it suits your situation. External options, self-management, medical follow-up, or a referral may be part of the guidance.
Fees, insurance, and cancellation
Fees
Check the booking system or call the clinic for the current rate, expected duration, and payment methods. Prices may vary.
Insurance
The clinic indicates it provides a receipt or claim form. However, reimbursement depends on your contract, the service, and the professional; check directly with your insurer.
Modification or cancellation
Use the link received in your confirmation or contact the center as soon as possible. Check the applicable policy before confirming.
Protecting your information
The reservation is processed by the TAGMED Clinic and, depending on the chosen link, by an external platform. Before transmitting health information, consult the posted privacy notice and platform terms.
- provide only the minimum necessary information to identify the reason;
- do not write a detailed medical history in an unsecured free text field;
- bring complete reports to the appointment or use only the secure means specified by the clinic;
- for confidential inquiries, call the center rather than using a general form.
Frequently Asked Questions about the appointment
Do I need a medical referral?
The TAGMED Clinic states that a medical referral is generally not required for an initial consultation. However, a medical opinion or prescription may become necessary depending on the symptoms, contraindications, insurance, or the requested examination.
How do I choose between Mont-Royal and Terrebonne?
Choose based on your travel and the slots available in the booking system. Services or hours may vary; call the clinic if the desired reason does not appear.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Delays vary according to the period, center, new patient status, and reason. The TAGMED Clinic generally announces short delays, but only the availability shown or confirmed by phone is reliable at the time of booking.
How long does the first visit last?
The clinic’s FAQ generally indicates 30 to 60 minutes. Confirm the duration in your reservation, especially if multiple reports need to be reviewed.
Should I bring my MRI images?
At a minimum, bring the written report. If you also have images on a portal, a disk, or a USB accepted by the clinic, ask in advance how to securely transmit them.
Can I be evaluated without an MRI?
Often, the evaluation starts with the history and examination. Imaging is not systematic. However, it may be necessary before certain interventions or in the presence of signs that change the approach.
Does treatment start at the first visit?
Sometimes, but never automatically. The decision depends on the reason, the examination, consent, precautions, and available documents.
Will my insurance reimburse the visit?
The clinic can provide a receipt, but it does not determine your coverage. Check with your insurer about covered services, eligible professionals, annual limits, and the necessity of a prescription.
What should I do if my symptoms worsen before the appointment?
Don’t rely on the reserved date. In case of progressive weakness, urinary or intestinal disturbances, loss of bowel control, or a concerning general state, call 911 or go to the emergency room. For worsening without urgent signs, contact a healthcare professional.
How can I reschedule or cancel my appointment?
Use the management link in your email or confirmation message, or call the center. Check the deadlines and fees as stated in the policy displayed at the time of booking.
Verified practical information
Contact details, services, and processes consulted on July 19, 2026:
- Clinique TAGMED — Contact and details of the two centers
- Clinique TAGMED — Online appointment
- Clinique TAGMED — FAQ about the first visit
- Clinique TAGMED — Sciatica
Check the details, pricing, waiting times, availability, and policies again at the time of booking.
Book an assessment at the center that suits you
The official system of Clinique TAGMED shows the available slots in Mont-Royal and Terrebonne. If in doubt about the reason, call the center before booking.
Dr. Sylvain Desforges, B.Sc., D.O., N.D., osteopath
Editorial information, sources and limitations
This content is intended to inform patients about sciatica, possible causes, warning signs, and care options. It does not replace an individualized assessment.
Reference sources
References are selected according to the subject of the page: guidelines, systematic reviews, then institutional resources.
- NICE NG59 – Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s — National guideline
- HAS – Management of patients with common low back pain — French national guideline
- Cochrane – Corticosteroid injections for treatment of sciatica — Systematic review
- NCBI Bookshelf – Sciatica — Clinical institutional resource
Complementary resources from the TAGMED network
These internal resources complement the clinical information and thematic linking. They do not replace national guidelines or systematic reviews.
Editorial note on decompression
Clinical resource from the TAGMED network; it does not replace national guidelines. Some guidelines use the term “traction” and recommend caution for low back pain with or without sciatica. Any decompression option should therefore be presented as an individualized clinical approach, with limitations, indications, and contraindications clearly explained.
Editorial note on imaging
Imaging is mainly considered when the presentation is complicated, prolonged, or likely to change management. Routine imaging is generally not necessary for every simple and recent sciatica-like pain presentation.
Limitations of this information
The information on this page is general. It does not constitute a diagnosis, prescription, or guarantee of results. Pain radiating into the leg may have several causes; assessment should consider clinical history, examination findings, symptom progression, and, when appropriate, complementary tests.
When to seek urgent medical care
Seek urgent medical care if you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle anesthesia, major or progressive leg weakness, unexplained fever, pain after significant trauma, or severe pain that rapidly worsens.
