You sit down at your desk, shift in your chair, and suddenly there it is: a shooting pain that travels from your lower back through your buttock and down into your leg. Maybe it burns. Maybe it tingles. If this sounds familiar, you may be dealing with sciatica.
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. That nerve runs from the lower spine all the way to the foot, which is why the pain can show up in several areas at once. A disc bulge, tight hip muscles, or prolonged sitting can all place pressure on it.
Why Waiting Often Makes Things Worse
It’s tempting to rest, take pain medication, and hope it passes. But when sciatic pain keeps coming back or starts affecting your sleep and daily routine, it’s time to look at the underlying cause. Without addressing contributing factors, the nerve can become increasingly sensitized, making symptoms more persistent over time.
Physiotherapy is a commonly recommended approach for sciatic pain because it looks at why the nerve may be irritated in the first place. A thorough assessment can help determine whether the issue is related to the lumbar spine, the hip, or surrounding soft tissue, and guide a care plan from there.
Getting the Right Help
At Helios Physiotherapy and Rehab, our team uses hands-on techniques and targeted rehabilitation to help manage sciatic nerve pain. Your care may include nerve mobilization, manual therapy, piriformis muscle treatment, dry needling, and corrective exercises, where appropriate. Chiropractic care may also be part of your plan depending on your assessment and the practitioner involved.
The goal isn’t just to relieve current symptoms, but to support how your body moves and functions over time. Contact Helios Physiotherapy and Rehab today to book your assessment and learn what may be contributing to your symptoms. Call us at (548) 489 1009.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica
How long does sciatica typically last?
Recovery time depends on the underlying cause and how long symptoms have been present. Early assessment and treatment can support a more timely recovery.
Can physiotherapy resolve sciatica, or just manage it?
For many patients, physiotherapy can help address mechanical contributors to nerve irritation. Outcomes vary by individual, but the goal is to restore function and reduce symptoms.
When is it time to see a physiotherapist for sciatica?
If you have had radiating leg pain, tingling, or numbness for more than a week or two, or if symptoms are affecting your daily life, it’s worth getting assessed. No referral is needed to see a physiotherapist in Ontario.