Sciatica is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy in the UK. The characteristic shooting pain from the lower back down one leg can be debilitating — making sitting, walking, and sleeping unbearable. At Lambert Sports Clinic in Surbiton, our CQC-registered physiotherapists treat sciatica every week with excellent results.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself but a description of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in the body. It runs from your lower spine, through the buttock, down the back of the leg to the foot. When it becomes compressed or inflamed, it produces the familiar pattern of pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along its path.
The most common causes include:
- Herniated (slipped) disc — the most frequent cause, where disc material presses on the nerve root
- Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that pinches the nerve
- Piriformis syndrome — the piriformis muscle in the buttock irritates the sciatic nerve
- Spondylolisthesis — one vertebra slipping forward on another
- Degenerative disc disease — age-related changes that reduce disc height and crowd the nerve
Symptoms of Sciatica
The hallmark symptom is pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock into the leg — usually on one side only. Other symptoms include:
- Burning or shooting pain that travels down the back of the leg
- Numbness or pins-and-needles in the leg, foot, or toes
- Muscle weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing
- Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment: Our Physiotherapy Approach
The evidence strongly supports physiotherapy as the first-line sciatic nerve pain treatment. Surgery is rarely needed — most patients recover fully with a structured physiotherapy programme. At Lambert Sports Clinic, our approach includes:
Assessment
Before any treatment begins, your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment to identify the cause of your sciatica, the nerve root involved, and any factors that are making it worse. This guides everything that follows.
Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment to mobilise stiff spinal joints, reduce muscle tension, and take pressure off the irritated nerve. This can include lumbar mobilisation, soft tissue release, and nerve mobilisation techniques.
Posture and Ergonomics
Many sciatica cases are aggravated by poor sitting posture, especially in desk workers. Your physiotherapist will review your posture and work setup, providing practical advice to reduce nerve irritation throughout the day.
Sports Massage
Our physio-led sports massage service can complement sciatica treatment by releasing tight muscles in the lower back, buttocks, and hip flexors that are contributing to nerve compression. Book a sports massage in Surbiton from £40.
Sciatica Relief Exercises
Exercise therapy is the cornerstone of sciatica rehabilitation. The following sciatica relief exercises are commonly used by our physiotherapists — however, because sciatica has several different causes, the exercises that help you will depend on your specific presentation. Always get a professional assessment before starting a programme.
1. Knee-to-Chest Stretch
What it does: Gently decompresses the lumbar spine and relieves pressure on irritated nerve roots.
How to do it: Lie on your back with knees bent. Slowly bring one knee up towards your chest, holding behind the thigh or shin. Hold for 20–30 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side. Perform twice daily.
2. Piriformis Stretch
What it does: Releases the piriformis muscle in the buttock, which can compress the sciatic nerve in piriformis syndrome. One of the most effective sciatica relief exercises for buttock and hip pain.
How to do it: Lie on your back with knees bent. Cross the affected leg over the other knee (like a figure-4). Gently pull the uncrossed leg towards your chest until you feel a stretch in the buttock. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
3. Sciatic Nerve Floss (Neural Mobilisation)
What it does: Gently mobilises the sciatic nerve through its sheath, reducing neural tension and improving nerve movement. Particularly effective for sharp, shooting leg pain.
How to do it: Sit upright on a chair. Slowly straighten and extend the affected leg while simultaneously tilting your head back. Then bend the knee and lower the leg while tucking your chin to your chest. Perform 10–15 repetitions in a slow, rhythmic motion. Do not force range — this should be a gentle gliding sensation.
4. Cat-Cow Mobilisation
What it does: Improves lumbar spine mobility and reduces stiffness that can aggravate sciatic nerve irritation. Good for morning stiffness.
How to do it: Start on all fours, hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Slowly arch your back up towards the ceiling (cat), then let it sag towards the floor (cow). Move slowly and rhythmically for 10 repetitions. Perform morning and evening.
5. McKenzie Extension (Prone Press-Up)
What it does: Helps centralise leg pain in disc-related sciatica — moving the pain from the leg back towards the spine, which is a positive sign of recovery. Only appropriate if your sciatica is caused by a herniated disc and if this direction of movement relieves your symptoms.
How to do it: Lie face down with hands under your shoulders (like the start of a press-up). Slowly push your upper body up while keeping your hips on the floor. Hold for 1–2 seconds at the top, then lower. Perform 10 repetitions, 3–4 times per day. Discontinue if leg pain increases.
How Long Does Sciatica Physiotherapy Take?
Most patients experience significant improvement within 4–8 weeks of starting physiotherapy. Acute sciatica from a disc herniation often resolves faster than chronic or recurring sciatica. Your physiotherapist will set realistic goals at your first appointment and review your progress at each session.
Can Sciatica Be Prevented?
Once resolved, sciatica can recur. Ongoing prevention focuses on maintaining a strong core, avoiding prolonged static posture, staying active, and addressing any underlying spinal issues. Your physiotherapist will give you a tailored home exercise programme to maintain the gains you make during treatment.
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Same-week appointments available. CQC-registered clinic. No GP referral needed.
Book Physio Online 020 8133 5694Book Sciatica Physiotherapy in Surbiton
Lambert Sports Clinic is a CQC-registered physiotherapy clinic in Surbiton, Surrey. Our expert physiotherapists treat sciatica with evidence-based techniques and provide the hands-on care needed to get you moving without pain. We have same-week appointments available, Mon & Tue 10am–6pm, Wed 8:30am–6pm, Thu 10am–6pm, Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm.
No GP referral needed. Book online now or call us on 020 8133 5694.