Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms and How Physiotherapy Helps

Sciatica is one of the most talked-about causes of back and leg pain — and one of the most misunderstood. It refers to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which runs from your lower back through the buttock and down each leg. The good news: most sciatica responds well to physiotherapy, without needing surgery.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed. Common causes include:

• A bulging or herniated disc pressing on the nerve
• Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis)
• Tightness in the piriformis muscle in the buttock
• General wear-and-tear and poor movement patterns

Common symptoms

• Pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and leg
• Sharp, burning or electric-shock-like pain
• Numbness, tingling or ‘pins and needles’ in the leg or foot
• Symptoms usually on one side of the body
• Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting

How physiotherapy helps sciatica

Rather than just masking pain, physiotherapy targets the source. Your plan may include hands-on manual therapy to reduce nerve irritation, specific nerve-gliding and mobility exercises, targeted strengthening for the core and hips, and education on movement and posture to prevent flare-ups.

What you can do now

Gentle movement usually beats bed rest — staying active within comfortable limits helps recovery. Avoid prolonged sitting, and change positions often. If your pain is severe, getting worse, or accompanied by weakness or changes in bladder or bowel control, seek care promptly.

When to see a physiotherapist

If sciatica lasts more than a few days or keeps returning, an assessment can pinpoint the cause and get you a plan. You don’t need a referral in Ontario, and we aim to see new patients within 48 hours.