That shooting pain down your leg — from your back through the buttock and into the calf or foot — is sciatica. It can be frightening and disabling, but it responds well to physiotherapy. Our chartered physiotherapists in Surbiton will identify the cause, relieve your symptoms and get you moving again.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself — it is a symptom pattern caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg. The hallmark is pain, numbness or tingling that radiates below the knee, often into the calf or foot.
The most common causes are a herniated lumbar disc (most often at L4/5 or L5/S1), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, more common in older adults), or piriformis syndrome (the sciatic nerve being compressed by the piriformis muscle in the buttock — the most common sports-related cause).
The most common cause in working-age adults. Gel-like material from between the vertebrae presses on the nerve root. 90% recover with conservative physiotherapy treatment — surgery is rarely needed.
The sciatic nerve passes through or beneath the piriformis muscle. In runners and cyclists especially, piriformis tightness or hypertrophy can compress the nerve. Responds well to targeted stretching and hip strengthening.
Narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal or nerve root canals. More common over 50. Symptoms often ease with forward bending (cycling position). Physiotherapy improves function significantly, though the structural narrowing is not reversible.
One vertebra slipping forward on another, narrowing the nerve exit. Physiotherapy focuses on core stabilisation and postural correction to reduce nerve irritation.
Seek urgent medical assessment if you experience: loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the saddle area (inner thighs and buttocks), progressive leg weakness (foot drop), or sciatica following significant trauma. These may indicate cauda equina syndrome — a medical emergency.
These red flag symptoms are rare, but it is essential to be aware of them. If you are unsure, call us on {PHONE} and we will advise whether immediate emergency care is needed.
The right treatment for sciatica depends on the underlying cause and the stage of the condition. Our initial assessment (£70, up to 60 minutes) includes:
Physiotherapy treatment for sciatica typically combines:
Surbiton and Kingston have a high proportion of commuters travelling to London by train or car — a demographic where prolonged sitting and desk work contributes significantly to lumbar disc problems and sciatica. If you are commuting from Surbiton station or Kingston and spending 8+ hours at a desk each day, postural and ergonomic factors are almost certainly contributing to your symptoms. We incorporate practical workstation advice into every sciatica treatment plan.
We also treat sciatica in local athletes — particularly cyclists and rowers (Kingston has a strong rowing community at Thames Ditton), where lumbar flexion loads under repeated effort can aggravate lumbar disc pathology.
Up to 60 min — full assessment, diagnosis and hands-on treatment
30 min — continued treatment and exercise progression
Insurance patients: we accept Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Allianz — check your insurer. No GP referral needed.
Most acute disc-related sciatica improves significantly within 6–12 weeks with physiotherapy. 90% of disc herniations resolve conservatively without surgery. Piriformis syndrome often responds faster — 4–8 weeks. Spinal stenosis may require ongoing management rather than a single treatment course.
No. The evidence strongly shows that prolonged bed rest makes sciatica worse. Early, gentle movement — walking, neural mobilisation, carefully guided exercise — produces better outcomes than rest. We will show you which movements help and which to temporarily avoid.
Yes, if the contributing factors are addressed. Core strengthening, postural habits, ergonomic changes and an understanding of load management all reduce recurrence rates significantly.
Usually not. Clinical examination is sufficient to guide physiotherapy treatment in most cases, and MRI findings often do not change the initial treatment plan. We will recommend imaging if neurological symptoms are progressive, if red flags are present, or if there is no response to treatment after 6–8 weeks.
Yes. We see sciatica across all age groups and adjust our treatment approach accordingly. Older adults with spinal stenosis benefit significantly from physiotherapy — extension-based exercises, aquatic therapy and walking programmes produce measurable improvements in function and pain.
Same-week appointments available. No GP referral needed. CQC-registered clinic.
Book Online 020 8133 5694380 Ewell Road, Surbiton, KT6 7BE
Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00 | Sat 09:00–14:00
020 8133 5694