Sciatica. How can physiotherapy help?

What a pain in the butt! Literally. Sciatica can cause sharp pain and numbness that radiates from the lower back or buttock, down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg and foot. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the lower body and often times the pain in the leg is worse than the pain in the back.

What are common causes of sciatica?

• Lumbar herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal that can squeeze and irritate nerves)
• Isthmic spondylolisthesis (a fracture of the isthmus - thin segment of bone that causes one vertebral body to slip forward on top of the vertebral body below it)
   

How can physiotherapy help?

Treatment for sciatica will often differ depending on the cause but there is a broad range of treatment options available. A physiotherapist will conduct an assessment to diagnosis the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Treatment may include:

• Mechanical traction
• Spinal manipulation
• Acupuncture
• Stretching exercises to alleviate sciatic pain by relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Strengthening exercises: low back, abdominal, glute and hip exercises can build a strong core to support the spine
• Aerobic exercise such as pool therapy

If you are suffering with low back or leg pain, don't hesitate to call a Lifemark physiotherapy clinic near you. Our therapists will have you on the road to recovery.

To find a clinic: https://www.lifemark.ca/locations