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Sciatica Physiotherapy

Our sciatic nerves that runs from one side of the pelvis, through the hip and buttock and all the way down the leg. The sciatic nerve is a very long-reaching and powerful electric cable that is connected to the spinal cord and hence to the brain.

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is compressed, either due to:

• slipped/herniated disc
• piriformis syndrome
• swelling around the sciatic nerve
  

When the sciatic nerve is compressed, patients will experience:

• pain
• weakness
  
• altered sensation

in the buttocks, hamstrings, calf or foot...but it actually originates in the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica symptoms

Most common sciatica symptoms:

• Pain radiating along the back of the leg
• Burning or tingling along the leg
• Weakness or numbness
• Constant pain on one side of the buttocks
• Shooting pain aggravated by standing and prolonged sitting

In fact, for a patient who already has sciatic nerve compression, their sciatica may be triggered even by very small and "seemingly" normal movements such as

• bending over one side to pick something up (like a remote, or coins, keys or documents) or
  
• from suffering a strong force/trauma like falling off the ladder and landing on your back

Sciatica usually only affects one side of your pelvis and leg (due to injuries/slipped discs usually affecting one side of the nerve root). Sciatica pain extends from the lower back down to the back of the leg.

Sciatica Physiotherapy

Back and neck physiotherapy is very effective in the treatment of sciatica and sciatic nerve compression. Sciatica is actually a very common condition that our senior spinal physiotherapists treat in our physio clinics, and it is often treatable (our goal is 100% recovery and preferably patients need not undergo spinal surgery).

Some of the spinal physiotherapy modalities that patients may undergo:

• manual therapy
• heat therapy
• back and neck joint mobilization and manipulation
  
• computerized spinal decompression traction
• deep tissue release and dry needling to release spasmic back muscles
  
• ultrasound therapy and radio-frequency Indiba physiotherapy to accelerate soft tissue healing
  

Our senior spine physiotherapists also will help to prevent future episodes of sciatic pain through teaching correct postural techniques, and exercises to correct any muscle imbalance in the spine.

Most of the time, sciatica can be well treated and managed by spine physiotherapists without need for invasive surgery. Exercise prescription from a fully qualified and experienced physiotherapist has been shown to play a key role in the successful management of this troublesome condition.

You may be recommended:

• regular deep tissue release massage
• core strength and stability training