Sciatica / Lumbar Radiculopathy in Mona Vale
Sciatica describes pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg, often due to irritation of a nerve in the lumbar spine. At Helix Recovery, we assess the likely source of your symptoms and develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan to help you return to normal activity.
What is Sciatica / Lumbar Radiculopathy?
Sciatica is commonly used to describe pain that travels along the course of the sciatic nerve into the buttock and leg. When symptoms are caused by irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower back, this is known as lumbar radiculopathy.
A lumbar disc herniation is one possible cause, but narrowing around the nerve and other changes within the lumbar spine can also contribute. Symptoms can vary from relatively mild leg pain to numbness, pins and needles or weakness.
Common Symptoms
Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg
Sharp, burning or electric-type pain
Pins and needles or numbness
Leg or foot weakness
Symptoms aggravated by certain movements or positions
Reduced tolerance for sitting, standing or walking
How We Assess Sciatica / Lumbar Radiculopathy
Not all pain travelling into the leg is caused by sciatica. The hip, muscles, joints and other structures around the lower back and pelvis can produce similar symptoms.
Assessment may include lumbar movement, neurological testing, reflexes, strength, sensation and nerve tension tests such as the straight leg raise or slump test.
The aim is to determine whether a lumbar nerve is likely to be involved, identify the movements and activities affecting your symptoms and establish an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan.
How We Treat Sciatica / Lumbar Radiculopathy
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Exercise rehabilitation
Strength and mobility exercises
Nerve mobility exercises
Activity and load modification
Education and self-management
Common Questions
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No. A disc herniation can cause sciatica by irritating a lumbar nerve root, but there are other possible causes. Sciatica describes the nerve-related symptoms rather than a specific structural diagnosis.
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No. Some people experience both back and leg pain, while others mainly experience symptoms in the buttock, thigh, calf or foot.
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Many cases improve over several weeks, although recovery time varies depending on the cause, severity and duration of symptoms. Persistent symptoms may require a longer period of progressive rehabilitation.
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Progressive weakness, significant neurological changes or changes to bladder or bowel control require medical assessment. Persistent symptoms that are not improving may also warrant further investigation.
Get Your Sciatica Assessed
If back or leg symptoms are affecting your work, training or everyday activities, we can assess what's contributing and develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan.