Sciatica Pain West Ryde, Sydney
NDPE offers quality physio care for sciatica to local residents in West Ryde & surrounding areas including; Eastwood, Denistone, Marsfield, Epping, Ryde, Meadowbank, Melrose Park, Dundas Valley, Telopea, Putney, Carlingford & Ermington.
About Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition involving pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the back of each leg. This pain generally affects one side of the body and can vary in intensity. People with sciatica may also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot of the affected side. The symptoms can often become worse with bending or prolonged sitting or standing.
The severity and frequency of sciatica can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience mild, infrequent episodes of discomfort that resolve on their own, while others may endure severe and frequent pain that significantly affects their daily activities and quality of life. The severity of sciatica can range from a dull ache or tingling sensation to intense, sharp, and debilitating pain that makes it difficult to perform simple tasks. The frequency of sciatica episodes can also differ, with some people experiencing sporadic flare-ups and others dealing with chronic or recurrent bouts of pain.
If you have been diagnosed with sciatica or are experiencing these symptoms, you may seek healthcare and support to assist in improving your functionality. We can assess your range of motion, muscle strength, sensation, posture, and gait, and work to improve the condition with a variety of methods and techniques. Our physiotherapy approach can play a crucial role in diagnosing sciatica, identifying underlying factors, and providing treatment.
Causes Of Sciatica
There are several underlying factors that can cause sciatica. By identifying which is relevant to your condition, we can develop a personalised treatment plan that is appropriate to your specific requirements.
Herniated Or Slipped Disc
When the gel-like centre of a spinal disc protrudes through a tear in the outer layer, it can compress the nearby nerve roots, including the sciatic nerve.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The discs between the vertebrae in your spine can lose their cushioning ability with age. This can lead to the vertebrae rubbing against each other, which may impinge on the sciatic nerve.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis, which involves a narrowing of the spinal canal, can put pressure on nerves, including the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis
If a vertebra slips out of place, it can put pressure on the adjacent nerve roots, which may involve the sciatic nerve.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle, which is located deep in the buttocks, can become tight or spasm and irritate the sciatic nerve, which runs beneath or through it.
Injury, Infections, Or Tumours
Damage or irritation to the spine or related muscles due to an injury or illness can lead to sciatica symptoms.
Obesity
Excessive weight can contribute to sciatica by putting added stress on the spine.
Pregnancy
Weight gain and postural changes that occur during pregnancy can strain the spine and pelvic area, potentially causing sciatica.
Inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle can put stress on the region or contribute to potentially problematic weakness or instability.
Treatment For Sciatica
Physiotherapy offers various treatment approaches to manage and treat sciatica and can be beneficial for many people. We will develop a personalised treatment plan for you based on the severity of the condition, your needs, and your goals.
To do so, we will perform a comprehensive assessment in your initial appointment to identify and evaluate your symptoms and how the condition is affecting you and will discuss your health background, lifestyle, and goals. We may recommend further investigations in some cases, which may involve visiting your doctor or undertaking scans.
Our physiotherapy team is experienced in supporting and treating patients with sciatica. One common approach that may be used is manual therapy, which involves hands-on techniques such as spinal mobilisation, joint manipulation, and soft tissue massage.
Sciatica Treatment At NDPE
Another key aspect of physiotherapy for sciatica is therapeutic exercises. These typically focus on strengthening the core, improving flexibility, and correcting imbalances in the muscles that support the spine. This can help to stabilise the spine, reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, and relieve muscle tightness.
We may also recommend the use of a variety of resources such as heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and traction, which can help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. Education regarding your condition, posture, ergonomics, and body mechanics is also important to promote short and long-term management of sciatica.
West Ryde, Sydney Sciatica Treatment
Sciatica can cause a variety of symptoms that can negatively impact your daily life in many ways. However, physiotherapy can play a positive role in recovery for many people.
We are experienced in supporting patients with sciatica at Northern District Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic in Sydney and are here to help you find improvement. Please contact our friendly team to organise an initial consultation if you are experiencing symptoms that may indicate sciatica.
