When is physiotherapy recommended for sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain or other nerve symptoms travelling from the lower back into the buttock and leg, often with tingling, numbness or weakness. The assessment considers your back and leg movements, reflexes, sensation, strength and symptom behaviour. This helps the clinician choose useful positions and exercises instead of assuming every episode needs the same treatment.

Your plan may include advice to keep moving, temporary activity changes, gentle mobility, trunk and hip strengthening, and gradual return to work or sport. Frequent changes of position can be more comfortable than prolonged bed rest. Follow the prescribed progression, avoid lifting patterns that sharply increase leg pain, and report new weakness or spreading numbness promptly. Read more about Sciatica and Physiotherapy.

Seek urgent medical care for new difficulty controlling urine or stool, numbness around the genitals or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening weakness in the legs. Prompt assessment is also needed for severe pain after major trauma, fever with back pain, or unexplained illness. Contact your clinician if pain or neurological symptoms are worsening rather than following the agreed recovery plan.

Ask which symptoms are safe to monitor, which movements should be limited, how strength will be checked, and what changes would require imaging or specialist review.