Sciatica
Pain, tingling or numbness running from your back or buttock down your leg? Sciatica often settles with time, movement and the right advice, and you can book without a referral.
About sciatica
Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the back or side of the leg, sometimes to the foot. It happens when the sciatic nerve, or one of the nerve roots that form it in your lower spine, is irritated or squeezed. The leg pain is often worse than the back pain, and you may feel burning or shooting pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness.
The most common cause is a disc bulge in the lower back pressing on a nerve root. Narrowing of the spaces the nerves pass through (spinal stenosis) becomes more common as we age, and tight buttock muscles such as piriformis can sometimes play a part. Not all leg pain is sciatica, though. Pain from the back joints, the hip or the sacroiliac joint can feel similar, which is why a careful assessment matters.
Sciatica can be very painful but is usually not caused by anything serious. Healthdirect notes that many people recover within a few months, although some still have symptoms after a year.
Keep gently active
Lying in bed for days doesn't speed up sciatica. Short, frequent walks, changing position often and gentle movement within comfort usually help more. Find positions that ease the leg pain, such as lying on your back with your knees bent over pillows, and use them to rest between activity.
Break up long periods of sitting or driving, and try a heat pack on your lower back for comfort. If the pain starts to ease in the leg and is felt more in the back, that is often a good sign.
How we treat it
We ask where you feel the pain and tingling and what changes it, and test your strength, reflexes and skin feeling to see how the nerve is working. We also look at your back and hips and the way you sit, bend and walk, and we check for any signs that you need medical review.
Treatment may include:
- advice on positions and activity that calm the nerve down
- gentle nerve gliding and back exercises, progressed as symptoms ease
- hands-on treatment for stiff joints and tight buttock muscles
- strengthening for your back, hips and legs to support your return to work and sport
- working with your GP if medicines, a scan or a surgical opinion are needed
When you are ready, our small Strength & Mobility classes are a supervised way to keep your back and hips strong. If your pain has lasted for months, see our page on long-standing pain, and for pain mainly in the back, our back pain page.
Read more on our blog: Can physiotherapy help sciatica? and MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound: are they necessary?.
you have numbness around your bottom, genitals or inner thighs, new trouble passing urine or controlling your bladder or bowel, or new sexual problems. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs emergency care: go to a hospital emergency department. Also see a doctor promptly if weakness in your leg is getting worse (for example your foot slaps or drags), you have sciatica in both legs, a fever, a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss, or the pain started after a fall or accident.
Getting started
Who you'll see
One of our physiotherapists, one to one in a private room. You can choose your physiotherapist when you book. Meet the team.
Your first appointment
60 minutes. We listen to your story, check how you move, explain what we find and start treatment, then give you a short plan to follow at home. Follow-up appointments are 30 minutes.
Cost and rebates
First appointment $225. Follow-up $150, or $135 on a pass. No referral needed. We claim private health rebates on the spot with Tyro (works like HICAPS) where available. We are not a bulk billing clinic: with a GP care plan (GPCCMP), you pay in full and Medicare pays $63.40 back for up to five allied health visits a year. If you can't make an appointment, please give us 24 hours notice. Funding and referrals.
Where and when
Suite 2, 69 Eyre Street, North Ward, Townsville. Free parking on both sides of Eyre Street, plus an accessible bay right outside. Open Monday to Thursday 7 am to 7 pm, Friday 7 am to 3:30 pm and Saturday 7 am to 1:30 pm. Book online or call 07 4724 0768.
Common questions
Do I need an MRI?
Usually not straight away. Scans are generally saved for when symptoms are not improving after several weeks, weakness is getting worse, or an injection or surgery is being considered. Read more in MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound: are they necessary?
How long does sciatica take to settle?
Many people improve over weeks to a few months, but it is hard to predict for one person. We track your progress and adjust the plan.
Will I need surgery?
Most people with sciatica don't. Surgery may be considered if the leg pain is severe and not improving after a good trial of other treatment, or if weakness is getting worse.
Do I need a referral?
No. Private patients can book straight in. With a GP care plan from your GP, you can claim a Medicare rebate for up to five allied health visits a year.