Sciatica Explained: What Causes It and How To Treat It
Sciatica is a common condition that causes pain travelling from the lower back or buttock down the leg, often below the knee into the calf or foot. It can also be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot. While symptoms can be uncomfortable and frustrating, most cases improve with time and the right management.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when one of the nerves in the lower back becomes irritated or compressed. The most common cause is a lumbar disc herniation, although stiffness, inflammation, or narrowing around the nerve can also contribute.
Symptoms are often aggravated by prolonged sitting, bending forward, coughing, or sneezing. A thorough physiotherapy assessment can help determine whether symptoms are truly nerve-related or coming from other structures in the lower back or hip.
How Is Sciatica Treated?
Research consistently shows that staying active and gradually returning to normal movement is one of the most effective ways to manage sciatica. While rest may feel helpful initially, prolonged inactivity can often delay recovery.
Many cases improve gradually with targeted rehabilitation and conservative management, although recovery can vary depending on symptom severity and duration. Physiotherapy treatment may include:
Advice and education
Exercise therapy
Strength and mobility work
Movement retraining
Manual therapy
There is no single “best” exercise for sciatica, as symptoms can vary significantly between individuals. A tailored approach based on your symptoms, strength, movement, and goals is usually most effective.
Should I Stretch It?
Stretching can help some people with sciatica, particularly if muscles around the hips and legs feel tight. However, aggressive stretching is not always helpful and may sometimes aggravate symptoms, especially if the nerve itself is irritated.
Rather than forcing stretches into pain, rehabilitation should focus on comfortable movement, gradual strengthening, and improving overall mobility. A physio can help determine which exercises are appropriate for your symptoms.
What About Medication or Surgery?
Medication may help manage pain in the short term, but research shows that commonly prescribed medications provide only modest benefits.
Most people improve without surgery, although persistent or worsening symptoms may sometimes require further medical review.
The Takeaway
Sciatica can be painful, but most cases improve with conservative treatment, movement, and targeted rehabilitation. Staying active, building strength, and improving movement confidence are key parts of recovery.
