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Sciatica and Lumbar Radiculopathy

Relieve radiating leg pain and nerve irritation with personalised, evidence-based care that restores movement and supports lasting recovery.

Understanding the Sciatica

Sciatica describes pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis in itself, and is caused by irritation or compression of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. The most common cause is lumbar disc herniation, followed by spinal stenosis and piriformis syndrome. The majority of cases improve significantly with appropriate conservative management within 6–12 weeks.

Causes

  • Lumbar disc herniation compressing a nerve root — the most common cause.
  • Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal.
  • Degenerative disc or facet changes — causing foraminal narrowing.
  • Piriformis syndrome — sciatic nerve compression in the buttock.
  • Spondylolisthesis — vertebral slipping.
  • Less commonly: Spinal tumour or infection (requiring urgent investigation).
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Symptoms

  • Sharp, shooting, burning, or electric pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and leg.
  • Pain typically following a specific nerve root path.
  • Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes.
  • Weakness in the leg or foot.
  • Pain worsening with sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Partial relief with walking or lying in certain positions.

Urgent red flags: Severe progressive leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or saddle area numbness (inner thighs/groin). Seek emergency assessment immediately — these may indicate cauda equina syndrome.

Treatment

  • Education on posture and positions that reduce disc or nerve pressure.
  • McKenzie extension-biased exercises for disc-related sciatica.
  • Neural mobilisation techniques to reduce sciatic nerve tension.
  • Manual therapy and lumbar mobilisation.
  • Core and gluteal strengthening.
  • Graduated return to activity and work.

Rehabilitation & Exercise

Caution: Perform all exercises only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Stop any exercise that increases your pain and inform your practitioner. Exercise programs are tailored to individual needs and must not be self-prescribed.
Sciatica rehabilitation aims to reduce nerve irritation, restore spinal movement, and build the muscle strength needed to protect the nerve root from re-compression. Active movement is important — avoid extended rest.
  • Neural mobilisation (nerve gliding) exercises to gently stretch and mobilise the sciatic nerve, reducing tension.
  • McKenzie extension exercises to reduce disc pressure on the affected nerve root.
  • Core and deep stabiliser activation.
  • Hip and gluteal strengthening.
  • Hamstring and piriformis stretching within a pain-free range.
  • Progressive return to activity with guided load progression.

Specialist & Regenerative Medicine Options

For severe, persistent, or functionally limiting sciatica, our Prestidge sports physicians can offer specialist interventional treatments to reduce nerve inflammation.
  • Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) – highly effective for sciatica caused by disc herniation or stenosis; corticosteroid injected around the compressed nerve root reduces inflammation and nerve pain.
  • Transforaminal Nerve Root Blocks – targeted delivery adjacent to the specific compressed nerve root.
  • Selective Nerve Root Injections – both diagnostic and therapeutic for identifying and treating the affected level.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – for chronic sciatica with a confirmed facet component.
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – perineural PRP adjacent to the affected nerve root may support nerve healing.
  • Surgical Referral – for progressive neurological deficit or cases failing all appropriate conservative and interventional management.

Our sports and exercise physicians at Prestidge work alongside your treating clinician to determine the most appropriate option for your condition, goals, and stage of recovery. All injectable and prescription treatments are subject to individual clinical assessment. Visit healthweave.com.au or prestidge.com.au to learn more.

Important: All specialist consultations, prescription treatments, and injectable procedures are subject to individual clinical assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Suitability, benefits, and risks will be discussed at your consultation. No outcomes are guaranteed. Prescription medicines are only available following appropriate medical review in accordance with TGA and AHPRA requirements. Exercise programs should be performed only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Exercise images © CPDO / Educom Pty. Ltd. — used under licence.