Physiotherapy For Sciatica: How We Can Help

 

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and travels from your lower back through the hips and down the leg. If this nerve is inflamed, compressed, or irritated; it can cause sciatica. Sciatica is not actually a medical condition itself, but a symptom of an underlying cause of nerve irritation.

It may present with sharp or shooting pain that can radiate down the legs, numbness/tingling, and weakness. As a result, it can affect your sitting, standing, and walking ability. Treatment for sciatica involves pain medication and physiotherapy to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve by targeting affected muscles.

If you are experiencing any additional symptoms, such as:

• Bladder or bowel dysfunction,
• Loss of sensation around the groin area, or
• Sexual dysfunction,

please visit your doctor instead.

How Physiotherapy For Sciatica Can Help With Symptom Management

Physiotherapy is an effective approach to treatment of sciatica by addressing the underlying causes of sciatic nerve irritation. Physiotherapists do this by taking a detailed history of your concerns and performing relevant assessments. Here are 5 reasons to visit a physio for sciatica:

 

1. It Reduces Pain

To target pain, physiotherapists can use methods such as cold or heat therapy to reduce inflammation initially and ease muscle tension. Manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilisations and massage, can also help improve mobility and reduce muscle tightness, which eases pressure on the sciatic nerve. Regular exercise helps maintain the short-term benefits of manual therapy.

2. It Relieves Tension In Tight Muscles

Sciatica can be worsened by tight muscles in the lower back, hips, and legs. By using manual therapy techniques of massage and stretching, physiotherapists can relieve this tension and reduce pressure on the nerve. An exercise program involving stretching is usually prescribed by your physiotherapist for sciatica.

 

3. It Strengthens Muscles For Better Support

Weak muscles in the abdomen, lower back, and hips can exacerbate sciatica. By strengthening these muscles, you will have better spinal and lower limb support, which reduces strain on the sciatic nerve. These exercises can also be made specific to functional activities you may be struggling with. Strengthening exercises are another part of a targeted exercise program prescribed by your physiotherapist.

 

4. It Helps Improve Nerve Mobility

While physio for sciatica can target surrounding muscles, it can also target the actual sciatic nerve. Physiotherapists can teach you nerve gliding/flossing techniques to ease tension and improve nerve mobility and circulation. It does this by gently mobilising and stretching the sciatic nerve within its pathway, which can also reduce symptoms.

 

5. It Helps Empower You To Take Control Of Your Symptoms

Physiotherapy for sciatica focuses on helping you continue your daily activities without being limited by pain. Physiotherapists go beyond manual therapy and exercise to educate you about sciatica and your concerns. This also involves equipping you with skills to manage your symptoms at home, through cold/heat therapy, an exercise program, postural corrections, and activity/lifestyle modifications. Physiotherapists guide you on how to apply these strategies safely, so you can feel confident about managing your symptoms.

 

 

How Physiotherapy For Sciatica Can Provide Long-Term Relief

Physiotherapy not only treats your presenting symptoms but also aims to prevent sciatica from coming back. The exercises and management strategies taught help to strengthen and stabilise the spine and muscles of the back, hips, and legs. This reduces the likelihood of future flare-ups. By addressing the underlying causes of sciatica, physiotherapy sets you up for long-term relief.

Regular physiotherapy sessions can lead to:

• Reduced pain through improved muscle function and nerve mobility.
• Improved ability to perform daily tasks with less pain.
• Increased confidence in movement and self-management.

 

By engaging in the right physiotherapy program, people with sciatica can manage their symptoms better and more independently while maintaining a better quality of life.

 

Find Support For Sciatica With Phoenix Physiotherapy

At Phoenix Physiotherapy, our physio will create a treatment program specific to you and your underlying cause of sciatica. Our aim is to ease your symptoms and reduce the impact of pain on your everyday activities.

 

We provide physiotherapy services for NDIS, DVA, Work Cover/CTP, Medicare, and Private patients, available both in-clinic and in the comfort of your own home. Get in touch with us for more information, or you can book online.