Physiotherapists treat patients with sciatica regularly!
Sciatica is referred pain that is usually caused by the sciatic nerve trapped in the lower back. As the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and along the back of each leg, you may feel this pain radiate through your buttocks and down the leg. The pain can be infrequent, irritating and sometimes debilitating. The pain can be worse when sitting for too long, and when standing up you can have difficulties moving your leg, and a shooting pain down your leg can make it hard for you to stand upright. Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself. It is a symptom of an underlying condition or back issue.
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis for the cause of your sciatica by your physiotherapist. Based on the assessment, your physiotherapist will decide on the most appropriate treatment. There are a variety of ways to manage sciatica, from having your spine mobilised/manipulated, doing stretches and strengthening exercises, acupuncture, applying heat to relax the muscle, taking the appropriate pain medication and more.
There are a few reasons why you would suffer from sciatica:
- Sitting and standing in a bad position can cause sciatica
- Tightness of the piriformis muscle in the buttock can compress the sciatic nerve
- Herniated disc
- Poor bending and lifting habits
- Spinal compression
Sciatica can be a really painful condition, however there are a number of ways to treat sciatica, and it is therefore worth giving your physiotherapist a call prior to thinking about steroid injections or surgical procedures.
Physiotherapy treatment will help you:
- Restore movement
- Reduce your pain
- Strengthen weakened muscles
- Reduce tension
If you or a loved one are suffering with sciatica, please call our friendly and professional team at Home Physio Group on 0330 335 1016 to find out how we can help and support you.