Sciatica commonly refers to pain in the lower back or buttock, travelling down into the leg. This is often due to irritation of a nerve near where it comes out of the spine. Someone with sciatica may also have tingling, numbness or weakness in part(s) of their leg.
The medical term for these symptoms is “Lumbar Radiculopathy”, meaning an injury of the nerve in the lower back. The name “Sciatica” originates from the sciatic nerve which is a large nerve that passes down the back of the leg, which tends to be the most common area of symptoms.
Not everyone’s symptoms will be in the back of the leg but despite this people often use the term sciatica to describe nerve pain or dysfunction in the leg and lower back.
How can Physiotherapy help?
Your physiotherapist will ask you questions and thoroughly examine you to determine the causes for your symptoms and to establish how we can best guide your recovery. We will then create an individualised plan for you to help you get back to your normal symptom-free activities.