Sciatica represents a debilitating condition characterised by pain and tingling/numbness within the sciatic nerve distribution or an associated low back nerve root.  It is most common in the fourth decade and is rare in the under 20s. A Common misconception often wrongly  identifies any low back pain or radiating  leg pain as sciatica. Sciatica entails pain directly resulting from sciatic nerve or root pathology.

Unfortunately Sciatica can affect virtually all daily  tasks including those that involve static postures and weight bearing activities. Sleep can be significantly impacted which can in turn be detrimental to healing and thus recovery.

How can Physiotherapy help Sciatica?

A Physiotherapist will take a detailed case history to understand the cause and contributing factors to your Sciatica.  

They will then carry out a thorough Evaluation in order to  identify factors contributing to your condition.

The Physiotherapist will then explain their findings  and advise on the diagnosis, prognosis and factors contributing to your pain picture.

Depending on your presentation and expectations of the appointment, the Physiotherapist will advise on any relevant immediate relief options such as optimising pain medication, manual therapy techniques i.e. soft tissue release, joint mobilisations, or acupuncture. These hands-on techniques can provide  relief and can sometimes help to dampen down the secondary responses to pain such as muscle tightness or abnormal movement patterns and postures.

The Physio will also agree on treatment goals, suggest self-management advice i.e. how to modify your activities, addressing risk factors, simple movement /posture strategies and/or an exercise program to address any movement/posture deficits. In some cases, the Physiotherapist may feel onward referral is necessary i.e. back to GP or to a specialist. This will always be a shared decision-making process and often there is lots you can be doing in the meantime.