What Is Sciatica? Everything You Need to Know
If you have ever experienced a sharp, burning pain shooting from your lower back down through your buttock and leg, you may be dealing with sciatica. It is one of the most common — and most debilitating — conditions we treat at Premcare Physiotherapy.
What Exactly Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a disease itself — it is a symptom. It refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. This nerve runs from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg.
When something compresses or irritates this nerve, it produces pain, numbness, or tingling that can travel the entire length of the nerve — from your back to your toes.
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
- Pain radiating from your lower back through your buttock and down one leg
- Burning or shooting sensation in the affected leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Weakness in the affected leg or foot
- Pain that worsens when sitting, coughing, or sneezing
- Difficulty standing up or walking
Most people experience sciatica on one side of the body only.
What Causes Sciatica?
- Herniated (Slipped) Disc: The most common cause. The disc material presses on the sciatic nerve.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerve.
- Piriformis Syndrome: The piriformis muscle in the buttock spasms and irritates the sciatic nerve.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Wear and tear on the spinal discs that narrows the nerve pathway.
- Pregnancy: The growing uterus can press on the sciatic nerve.
- Prolonged Sitting: Common in Lagos among drivers, office workers, and those who sit on generators for hours.
How Physiotherapy Treats Sciatica
At Premcare, we treat sciatica at home using evidence-based techniques:
- Nerve Mobilization: Gentle techniques to reduce nerve irritation and improve nerve movement (neural glides).
- Spinal Mobilization: Manual therapy to improve spinal mobility and reduce pressure on the nerve.
- Core Strengthening: Building the deep core muscles that support and protect your spine.
- Stretching Program: Targeted stretches for the piriformis, hamstrings, and hip flexors to reduce compression on the nerve.
- Posture and Ergonomic Training: Modifying how you sit, drive, and work to prevent recurrence.
- McKenzie Method: A specialized approach to treating disc-related sciatica with specific directional exercises.
Do You Need Surgery for Sciatica?
In most cases, no. Research shows that 80-90% of people with sciatica recover with conservative treatment (physiotherapy) within 6-12 weeks. Surgery is typically only recommended if:
- You have significant leg weakness that is getting worse
- You have lost bladder or bowel control (medical emergency)
- Your pain has not improved after 6-12 weeks of consistent physiotherapy
5 Things to Avoid If You Have Sciatica
- Prolonged bed rest — staying in bed for more than 1-2 days can actually worsen sciatica
- Heavy lifting — especially with a rounded back
- Sitting for more than 30 minutes at a time without standing up
- High-impact exercise — running or jumping while symptomatic
- Ignoring the symptoms — early treatment leads to faster recovery
Get sciatica treatment at home — book via WhatsApp now or call +234 802 333 1387.
