What to expect from physiotherapy for sciatica

Your physiotherapist may examine back and leg movement, strength, sensation, reflexes and walking. They will ask how symptoms change with sitting, bending, coughing, walking or rest. Depending on the pattern, exercises may focus on comfortable spinal movement, hip and trunk strength, nerve mobility or general conditioning. The approach is individual because leg pain can have different causes and may not respond to the same positions or exercises.

Keep changing position and continue suitable daily movement instead of remaining in bed for long periods, unless a clinician has advised otherwise. Use the home plan in small, regular sessions and stop or modify an exercise that causes a clear spread or escalation of leg symptoms. Ask how to adapt driving, lifting, work and sleep positions. Progress is usually judged by walking, strength, function and symptom behaviour together.

Seek urgent medical care for new difficulty controlling urine or stool, numbness around the inner thighs or groin, severe or worsening weakness in the leg, or symptoms affecting both legs. Prompt review is also needed with fever, major trauma, or severe pain with serious illness. Contact your clinician if pain or function deteriorates during rehabilitation.

Ask which nerve signs were found, which movements are safe, and how to recognise meaningful weakness. Discuss work and lifting modifications, whether further tests are needed, and what change should trigger an earlier review.