Condition

Sciatica

Sciatica can be one of the most debilitating types of pain, affecting the back and radiating down the leg, disrupting sleep, work and daily life. The good news is that the great majority of people with sciatica recover well with the right physiotherapy treatment, and surgery is rarely necessary.

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About This Condition

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica describes pain along the sciatic nerve and can be caused by several different things including a disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis or joint irritation. Identifying the specific cause is essential to providing effective treatment.

Once we understand what is compressing or irritating the nerve, we use a combination of manual therapy, neural mobilisation and progressive exercise to reduce the compression, restore nerve mobility and address the underlying vulnerability that led to the problem.

Signs and Symptoms

Common Symptoms

These are the most common presentations we see. Every patient is different, and your physiotherapist will assess your individual symptoms thoroughly.

Radiating Leg Pain

Sharp, burning or electric pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the thigh, calf and foot.

Numbness or Tingling

Pins and needles or numbness in the buttock, thigh, calf or foot.

Lower Back Pain

Aching or sharp pain in the lower back, often accompanying the leg symptoms.

Weakness

Reduced strength in the leg or foot, particularly when walking or climbing stairs.

Pain on Sitting

Worsening symptoms when sitting, particularly on hard surfaces or in the car.

Positional Symptoms

Symptoms that change with position, often better when walking or lying down, worse when sitting or bending.

Our Approach

How We Treat Sciatica

Your treatment plan will be tailored to you specifically. Here is what a typical course of physiotherapy for sciatica looks like at Urmston Physio Clinic.

01
Nerve AssessmentDetailed examination of the sciatic nerve and lumbar spine to identify the specific cause and level of nerve involvement.
02
Neural MobilisationSpecific techniques to improve sciatic nerve mobility and reduce neural sensitisation.
03
Lumbar Manual TherapyJoint and soft tissue techniques to reduce compression on the nerve root and restore spinal movement.
04
Progressive ExerciseA carefully graded programme to stabilise the lumbar spine, reduce nerve irritation and build resilience.
05
Load ManagementGuidance on positions and activities to modify in the short term, and a progressive plan for returning to normal activity safely.

Common Questions

FAQs about Sciatica

Many cases of sciatica do improve over time, but this can take weeks or months, and the underlying cause may remain. Physiotherapy accelerates recovery, reduces pain more quickly and addresses the reason the nerve became compressed in the first place.

Yes, staying active is generally better than resting. However not all exercises suit all types of sciatica. Your physiotherapist will prescribe exercises safe and appropriate for your specific situation.

In most cases, no. An MRI is useful if symptoms are not improving as expected or if surgery is being considered. Physiotherapy can usually be started without imaging.

Common aggravating factors include prolonged sitting, bending and lifting, coughing or sneezing and certain sleeping positions. Your physiotherapist will advise you on managing these during recovery.

Take the First Step

Get Assessed Today

Our physiotherapists have extensive experience treating sciatica. A thorough assessment is the first step to understanding what is causing your problem and what can be done about it.

Initial consultations are 45 minutes and cost £60. Same-week appointments are usually available.

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Related Conditions

Our Fees

£60

Initial (45 min)

£60

Follow-up (30 min)

BUPA, AXA, Aviva and WPA recognised.