Can physiotherapy help sciatica?

If you’re experiencing pain in the lower back and legs, it could be that you’re suffering with sciatica. This painful condition can truly disrupt your life, making simple tasks like walking or even sitting down a challenge. In this blog we’ll look at the causes of sciatica, common symptoms and how sciatica is diagnosed, and finally what treatment options may help you.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve which runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. When the nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it can cause sensations of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your bottom, back of your legs, and down to your feet and toes.

Symptoms vary lots between individuals. Some people report a dull achy pain, whilst others have sharp, shooting pains. Pain can vary from mild to severe and it can make it difficult to perform daily activities.

Adults between the ages of 30 and 60 years old are usually most affected by sciatica, most notably, those who spend a prolonged amount of time sitting or heavy lifting.

What are the causes of Sciatica?

A bulging disc is often the most common cause of sciatica, where a disc in the spine presses on and irritates a nerve root. Another cause is spinal stenosis, where the space around the spinal cord narrows and puts pressure on the nerves.

You may also have difficulty moving your leg or foot, or have back pain that radiates down your leg, making it hard to walk or stand for lengthy periods

Other potential causes can include:

• Back injury
• Muscle strain
• Pregnancy
• Infection
• Tumours
• Osteoarthritis
• Heavy lifting or twisting
• Poor posture
• Obesity
• Sitting for long periods of time.

Common symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatic pain can feel like a stabbing, burning or shooting sensation, which can range from mild to severe. It is common to experience pain that moves from the low back, to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, into the calf and foot.

The tingling can feel similar to having pins and needles. This can be constant or come Replace this with a new paragraph:

The pain caused by sciatica can make it hard to complete normal day to day tasks ranging from: walking, standing, bending, twisting, sitting and lying down. It may also worsen when you cough or sneeze.

If you experience such pain, we recommend seeing one of our Physiotherapists – they can diagnose the root of your sciatica and provide appropriate treatment to help manage your symptoms. Learn more about our physio and sports therapy services.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?

Sciatica can be diagnosed by your Therapist by taking a detailed history of your symptoms and undertaking an objective assessment consisting of a variety of physical tests.

In certain cases your Therapist may recommend an MRI to help with confirming the diagnosis.

If you have Sciatica, your Therapist will recommend options for treatment, which is likely to include Physiotherapy.

How long does Sciatica last?

A vast majority of sciatica cases will significantly improve within 4-6 weeks with Physiotherapy and self-management strategies. However some people do develop persistent symptoms that can last for months and up to years, these cases may require different treatments.

How can physiotherapy and sports therapy help with sciatica?

Physiotherapy and sports therapy can be effective ways to treat sciatica, particularly in the early phases. The goal of treatment is to reduce your pain, improve your movement, help prevent future issues and reduce the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery

Upon your initial session, your physiotherapist will assess your symptoms and determine the most likely cause of your sciatica. Then, they will design a treatment plan to target the specific issues causing your pain and to help get you moving again.

Your physiotherapist will use specific exercises and techniques to best help your issue.

Treatment programmes include early, mid, and late-stage exercises to not only alleviate pain, improve movement but also prevent a future flare up. They often include specific manual therapy techniques to the joints and soft tissues around the area as well.

Massage and manual therapy

Manual therapy is often used with physio and sports therapy treatment to help reduce pain and improve mobility in the affected area. This can include massage, but also joint manipulation, and mobilisation which focuses on restoring normal movement to the spine and soft tissue. Your manual therapist may also use hot stones, myofascial release or cupping techniques.

Techniques can vary in intensity and may be tailored to your symptoms. Manual therapy can also be used to improve your posture and alignment, which can help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Dry needling

Often used in the early stages of treatment, dry needling is similar to acupuncture, where thin needles are inserted into specific trigger points of your muscles. This is done to help increase your blood flow, as well as to reduce the pain and tightness in your muscles.

Stretching exercises

These exercises can help improve flexibility in the muscles surrounding the spine and alleviate pressure on the nerves. Your physiotherapist may recommend specific stretches focusing on areas of tightness in your lower back, hips, and legs to alleviate symptoms.

Strengthening exercises

Strengthening exercises focus on building muscle strength where needed, through body resistance and bodyweight exercises. These intend to target weak muscles in your lower back and core to help enhance stability and support for the spine to prevent sciatica.

Can physiotherapy make sciatica worse?

The goal of physiotherapy is to relieve symptoms, rather than aggravating them. In some cases exercises may initially cause discomfort as your body adjusts to the movements, but it’s never intended to worsen any pain or discomfort.

It’s common practice for your physio to provoke your symptoms during your session, though this will be incredibly brief (usually 1-2 seconds). This is done to give them a better understanding of your pain and how to tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

Unfortunately in rare cases Physiotherapy can aggravate your symptoms, but this is rarely a sign of any lasting damage.

What can I do to treat my symptoms at home?

Dealing with sciatica can be incredibly challenging, but there are self-help treatments that can be effective in managing the symptoms and speeding up recovery.

Here are some tips to help you at home:

• Do gentle exercise (if possible) – Try to move as much as possible, as being immobile for extended periods can actually worsen the pain and prolong recovery time. You could try gentle stretches or walking to keep your muscles active.
• Apply heat or ice – Apply a hot pack or cold compress to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
• Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities – try to modify and reduce any activities that aggravate your symptoms. This may include heavy lifting or strenuous activities.
• Practice good posture – Maintaining a supported but relaxed posture can help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Take painkillers and anti-inflammatories – Over-the-counter pain relief, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, may help to reduce any pain you are feeling and allow you to keep moving.

Physio and sports therapy at Hatt’s

If you are experiencing sciatica, you are not alone. This painful condition can truly disrupt your life, making simple tasks like walking or even sitting down a challenge. The radiating pain down your leg can be exhausting, leaving you feeling frustrated.

At Hatt’s, we understand the impact that sciatica can have on your daily life. That is why our team of healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing you with the best physiotherapy treatment to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Our Physio & Sports Therapy prices start from £81 for a first appointment with a senior clinician (up to 45 minutes). You can either book online, or contact us if you would like to know more about our services or to book an appointment over the phone.