Leg pain that comes from the back — and settles far more often than the internet suggests.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis so much as a description: pain travelling along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg. Most often the nerve is irritated where it leaves the spine, sometimes by a disc, sometimes by a narrowed space, occasionally by muscle further down.
We identify where the nerve is actually being irritated, because that decides the treatment. Hands-on work and specific movements to reduce the irritation, then progressive loading to restore tolerance. Where a muscle has switched off — which is common when a nerve has been irritated for a while — Neubie therapy helps re-establish the signal so strength work actually lands.
Many cases improve over weeks rather than days, and the leg pain typically recedes towards the back before it goes — that direction of travel is a good sign, and we will point it out when it happens.
Only the ones that make sense for this problem — listing all three on every page would be advertising, not information.
The large majority of people with sciatica do not. Surgery is considered for a minority, usually where there is significant progressive weakness or where conservative treatment has genuinely been given time and has not worked.
Sitting increases pressure through the lumbar discs and puts the sciatic nerve on stretch at the same time. It is one of the reasons a desk job makes sciatica so persistent, and one of the things we work around early.
Immediately, if you develop numbness around the groin or saddle area, loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening weakness in the leg.
Not sure this is what you have? That is exactly what an assessment is for — and if it turns out to be something else, we will tell you.
Related: Low back pain · Physiotherapy at Forge West End
No referral is needed for a private appointment. Bring one only if you are claiming through Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or insurance.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road — a short run from South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Dutton Park, Woolloongabba and South Bank, and from the CBD across the river.
Can’t get to the clinic? We also offer physiotherapy home visits across the same area, with travel included in the fee.
Book your assessment at Forge West End and start a plan built around your goals — not a generic exercise sheet.
Unit 4, 249 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 · No referral needed for a private appointment · HICAPS on site
