Sciatica: What It Is, Why It Happens and How Physio Gets You Out of Pain
Sciatica: What It Is, Why It Happens and How Physio Gets You Out of Pain
That shooting pain from your lower back down through your buttock and into your leg is not something you should push through and hope disappears. Sciatica is one of the most commonly Googled pain conditions in Australia and one of the most mismanaged. At PHYZFIT Health and Rehab in Bexley North and Marrickville, our physiotherapists assess and treat sciatica every single day using evidence based, hands on care.
Same day appointments available · No referral needed
Why Sciatica Happens
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It starts in your lower spine, passes through your buttock and travels all the way down your leg to your foot. When something compresses or irritates this nerve, whether it is a bulging disc, a tight piriformis muscle, or narrowing of the spinal canal, you get the shooting, burning or aching pain that tracks along its path. That is sciatica.
The good news is that the vast majority of sciatica cases resolve with the right physiotherapy treatment. You do not need to resign yourself to living with it and you almost certainly do not need surgery.
Common Symptoms
If you are experiencing any of the following, our physios at PHYZFIT can help:
- Sharp, shooting or burning pain from the lower back into the buttock or leg
- Numbness or tingling in the foot or toes
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens when sitting or driving for extended periods
- Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
- Pain on one side of the body
- Pain that eases with gentle walking or movement
Common Causes
- Disc bulge or herniation at L4/L5 or L5/S1
- Piriformis syndrome (the piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve)
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine
- Spondylolisthesis (a vertebra slipping over the one below)
- Prolonged sitting and poor posture at work
- Lifting with poor technique or sudden forceful movements
How We Treat Sciatica at PHYZFIT
There is no one size fits all approach to sciatica. The right treatment depends on the cause, how long you have had it and what is driving the nerve irritation. At PHYZFIT our physiotherapists do a thorough assessment before building your treatment plan so nothing is guessed at.
Accurate Diagnosis
Before we treat anything, we find out exactly what is causing your sciatica. We assess your spinal levels, nerve tension, muscle function and movement patterns. This tells us which structures are involved and guides every decision we make from that point forward.
Nerve Desensitisation and Spinal Mobility Work
Irritated nerves need to be calmed down before they can be loaded. We use specific nerve mobilisation techniques and spinal mobility exercises to reduce the sensitivity of the sciatic nerve and restore pain free movement in the spine. Most patients notice a meaningful improvement within their first few visits.
Core and Glute Strengthening
Weak deep core muscles and underactive glutes place excess load on the lumbar spine and irritate the structures around the sciatic nerve. We build strength progressively so your spine is properly supported and the nerve is no longer being aggravated by every movement you make.
Hands On Therapy
Manual therapy including spinal joint mobilisation, soft tissue release, trigger point work and dry needling where appropriate helps to reduce pain quickly and restore normal movement. Hands on treatment is central to what we do at PHYZFIT, not an afterthought.
Return to Work and Full Activity
Whether your goal is to get through a full work day without pain, get back into the gym or run again, we build a structured progressive program to get you there safely and give you the tools to stop this from coming back.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first session at PHYZFIT is a full assessment. We do not rush you in and out. We take the time to understand your symptoms, your history and your goals so we can get to work straight away.
Book online or over the phone. Same day appointments are available at both Bexley North and Marrickville. No referral needed.
Your physio conducts a thorough assessment of your nerve, spine and movement. We work with you to understand what is driving your pain and what your goals are.
You leave your first session with a clear treatment plan and realistic timeline so you always know what to expect and can track your progress.
We monitor your progress and adjust your plan at every session to keep you moving forward toward your goals.
What You Should Not Do
- Do not ignore symptoms and assume they will go away on their own without treatment
- Do not spend all day lying in bed, as gentle movement is almost always better
- Do not aggressively stretch the nerve without guidance, as this can worsen irritation
- Do not rely on pain medication alone without addressing the underlying cause
- Do not delay if you are experiencing any changes in bladder or bowel function, as this requires immediate medical attention
Do not leave sciatica untreated. Without the right intervention, nerve irritation can become chronic and significantly harder to resolve. Muscle weakness that develops around a compressed nerve can take months to recover. Patients consistently tell us they wished they had come in sooner. Our team at PHYZFIT has appointments available now at Bexley North and Marrickville. Book in today.
When to Book In Immediately
See a physio or medical professional urgently if you experience any of the following:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness or tingling in the groin or inner thighs (saddle area)
- Progressive or rapidly worsening weakness in the leg or foot
- Sciatica following a significant fall or trauma
- Symptoms in both legs at the same time
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need imaging (MRI or X ray) for sciatica?
Most cases of sciatica do not require imaging to begin effective treatment. Your physio can diagnose the cause through a thorough clinical assessment. Imaging is typically only needed if symptoms are severe, not improving after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, or if there are red flag symptoms present.
How long does sciatica take to resolve?
Most cases of sciatica resolve within 6 to 12 weeks with the right physiotherapy treatment. The timeline depends on how long you have had symptoms, the severity of the nerve irritation and how consistently you complete your rehabilitation exercises. Starting treatment early generally leads to a much faster recovery.
Should I rest or keep moving with sciatica?
In most cases gentle movement is better than bed rest. Prolonged inactivity can worsen sciatica. Your physio at PHYZFIT will guide you on the specific movements that help versus those that aggravate your symptoms, so you can stay as active as possible while your nerve heals.
Do I need a referral to see a physio at PHYZFIT?
No referral is needed to book with us. You can book directly online or by phone. We accept Medicare Enhanced Primary Care plans (which require a GP referral for the Medicare rebate), private health insurance, NDIS, SIRA (workers compensation), WorkCover and DVA. If you are unsure, just give us a call and we will help you work it out.
Can sciatica get worse without treatment?
Yes. Without addressing the underlying cause, sciatica can become chronic and more difficult to treat. Ongoing nerve compression can lead to persistent weakness, altered sensation and changes in spinal mechanics that compound over time. Early intervention consistently produces the best outcomes.
Ready to Get Out of Pain?
Same day appointments available at Bexley North and Marrickville. No referral needed. Book in today.
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