How Physiotherapy Helps: Sciatica
Written by Joanne Huynh - Physiotherapist
Ever been confused about what sciatica actually is? And what can we do to relieve this (potentially literal) pain in the butt?
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a broad term that defines severe pain, tingling and/or numbness that refers down into the back of the lower limb - it could be your buttock, the back of your thigh, or even into your calf. These are areas that the SCIATIC nerve (hence, ‘sciatica’) and the nerve roots that connect it to your spinal cord receives information about your sensation.
How does sciatica occur?
It can occur slowly over time, or with a single incident. Usually, with either, it can be a mixture of the following:
Chronic or increased stress in every day life
Poor sleep hygeine
Increased physical load on the lower back or leg more than it can cope with
Overall reduction in exercise and/or physical activity
Poor diet
Structural changes that may include
Herniated or ‘bulging’ lumbar (lower back) intervertebral disc (these sit in between the bones of the spine)
Lumbar spinal canal stenosis, which is a reduction in size of the spinal canal where the nerves tend to sit in
Muscular spasms or inflammation in the lower back and/or pelvic area can crowd the space around the nerve
Spondylolisthesis or a forward or backward shift in position of the vertebrae (one building block of the spine) relative to another
Inflammation of the nerve
What would I experience that might lead me to think I have sciatica?
Severe pain or a burning sensation - usually in the buttock, but also known to be in the back of your thigh, or even your calf - they can all present concurrently, or even just in isolation.
Tingling and/or numbness in the areas above
Pain on bending or twisting through the back, coughing or sneezing, even if you are sitting or standing too long.
How can the physiotherapist help me?
A physiotherapist can support you through your recovery with:
Advice and education
Diagnosis
Management strategies for pain relief outside of the physiotherapy clinic
Lifestyle suggestions to reduce risk of recurrence in the future
Hands on treatments to provide adequate pain relief through recovery
Massage, dry needling, joint mobilisation or manipulation
Exercise prescription with regular re-assessment and modification as needed on your journey
Referral to other healthcare professionals as required to assist in your care
Feel free to click below on ‘Book now’, email at joanne@thephysioalliance.com.au or call on 0493039286 to get that sciatica sorted so you can get back to the things you want to do.
Citations
Davis D, Maini K, Taqi M, et al. Sciatica. [Updated 2024 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
