A Patient’s Guide to Treating Sciatica with Physiotherapy Southgate Physio’s Approach

Sciatica is a painful condition that can significantly impact daily life. It happens when there is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back into the hips and legs. Even though sciatica might be upsetting, one of the best ways to manage the pain, regain mobility, and stop flare-ups is through physiotherapy.

To help in your recovery, Southgate Physio’s individualised approach combines cutting-edge technology, evidence-based procedures, and specially designed exercises.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve due to compression or irritation, often caused by conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or piriformis syndrome. Symptoms can include:

• Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, or leg.
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot.
• Difficulty with movement, particularly in the lower body.

While sciatica can be distressing, targeted physiotherapy is often the key to managing and reducing symptoms over time.

How Sciatica Is Treated with Physiotherapy

At Southgate Physio, we treat sciatica with a thorough, patient-centered approach. Our physiotherapists are adept at determining the root reasons for your discomfort and provide efficient care to aid in your recovery. Our method for treating sciatica is as follows:

1. Thorough Evaluation and Diagnosis

A thorough evaluation is the initial stage in your recovery process. To determine the precise cause of your sciatica, we thoroughly assess your posture, gait, and spinal alignment. This enables us to develop a customised therapy strategy that focuses on the cause of your discomfort.

2. Focused Manual Treatment

Soft tissue treatments and spinal manipulation are part of our manual therapy methodology. These practical therapies aid:

• Take the strain off the sciatic nerve.
• Restore your spine’s mobility and alignment.
• Reduce tenseness and inflammation in the muscles.

3. Strengthening and Stretching Exercises for Therapeutic Purposes

Exercising to correct muscular imbalances, correct posture, and regain flexibility is one of the best strategies to treat sciatica. We at Southgate Physio will lead you through a gradual fitness regimen that consists of:

Strength Training Activities:
To relieve strain on the spine and sciatic nerve, it is essential to strengthen the lower back and core muscles. For sciatica, the following exercises are frequently suggested:

Pelvic Tilts:
Place your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees while lying on your back. Push your lower back against the floor while contracting your abdominal muscles. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then let go. Do these ten to fifteen times. By strengthening the stomach and lower back muscles, this exercise aids with spine support.

Bridges:
With your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent, lie on your back. While maintaining your shoulders and feet on the floor, tighten your glutes and raise your hips towards the ceiling. After a few seconds of holding, lower yourself back down. Do these ten times. This improves total pelvic stability by targeting the lower back and glutes.

Clamshells:
Bend your legs at a 90-degree angle while lying on your side. Raise your upper knee while maintaining a stable pelvis and keeping your feet together. Repeat ten to fifteen times on each side while lowering your knee gradually. By strengthening the hip muscles, this exercise helps avoid compression of the nerves.

Stretching Exercises:
Stretching the muscles around the lower back, hips, and legs can help relieve tightness that may be contributing to sciatica pain. Some key stretches include:

Piriformis Stretch:
Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place your right ankle on your left knee and gently pull your left thigh toward your chest. Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides. This stretch targets the piriformis muscle, which, when tight, can irritate the sciatic nerve.

Hamstrings Stretch:
Stretching your hamstrings involves sitting on the floor with one leg bowed and the other extended. With your back straight, reach forward towards the extended leg’s toes. Repeat two to three times on each leg after holding for 20 to 30 seconds. Hip and lower back strain can be eased by stretching the hamstrings.

Child’s Pose:
Start on your hands and knees, then slowly sit back onto your heels while reaching your arms forward. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times. This stretch helps lengthen the spine and relax the muscles of the back and hips.

4. Posture and Ergonomics Education

Sciatic pain can be exacerbated by bad posture and improper movement patterns. We at Southgate Physio offer instruction on:

• Proper standing, sitting, and sleeping posture.
• Using the right lifting techniques to prevent back pain.
• Workplace and everyday ergonomics to avoid flare-ups.

Why Choose Southgate Physio Clinic in North London

We offer a comprehensive range of care to properly treat sciatica and avoid further problems, from manual therapy to strengthening exercises and education.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you’re struggling with sciatica, physiotherapy can help you reduce pain, regain function, and prevent future episodes. At Southgate Physio, we are committed to providing personalised, expert care to help you achieve long-term relief.

Simply contact us today to schedule an assessment and start your journey to a pain-free life.

For more information on our services or to book an appointment, please visit our website or contact us directly. If you want to know more, feel free to get in touch with us by calling 0208 3686767 or emailing us at info@southgatephysio.co.uk

Physiotherapy Services We Offer

Our clinic offers a wide range of treatments that are all recommended and tailored to everyone who comes and visits us. Our range of treatments complements the body and mind, helping to keep you pain and injury-free, delivering preventative measures to maintain your well-being and enhance your performance levels.

Our main aim is to restore your personal well-being so you can enjoy an active, healthy, and pain-free life. Click on any of the services to find out a little more about each treatment and understand if it might be right for you.

• Home Visit Physiotherapy
• Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• Musculoskeletal Injuries Treatment
• Pain Management
• Pilates
• Acupuncture
• Shockwave Therapy
• Theraflex
• Pre and Post Operative Rehabilitation
• Elderly Rehabilitation
• Sports Massage
• Online Video Consultation
• Sports Physiotherapy