Agility Physiotherapy &
Exercise Physiology
Treatment of Low Back Pain and Sciatica
What is low back pain and sciatica?
Low back pain and sciatica is characterised by low back pain and stiffness with radiating pain that follows a dermatomal pattern down the leg and beyond the knee. Patients report sensory symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning type pain, pins and needles and general pain. Sciatica is a symptom that suggests that the nerve is being irritated or compressed most often from a disc herniation or lateral recess stenosis (narrowing).
What else can low back pain and sciatica be called?
Low back pain and sciatica may also be referred to as low back pain with radicular pain, low back pain with radiculopathy, sciatica and back pain with sciatica symptoms.
What are the best treatments for low back pain and sciatica?
The "Low back pain and sciatica: NICE guidance" recommends that physiotherapists consider exercises such as stretching, strengthening, aerobic, yoga, or Tai Chi in a group setting for all patients with low back pain and sciatica as the main component of non-invasive treatment. Manual therapy and psychological approaches should be recommended only alongside an exercise program, while acupuncture or electrotherapies should not be recommended.
Consider a short course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or a weak opioid where an NSAID is ineffective or poorly tolerated, and do not offer paracetamol alone for low back pain; and consider neuropathic drugs such as gabapentin and epidural steroids for sciatica.
What treatments does Agility Physio & Ex Phys use for low back pain and sciatica?
The treatment of low back pain and sciatica at Agility Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology Penrith is in line with guideline based care recommendations. Our physiotherapists use techniques joint mobilisations, soft tissue work, McKenzie Method, neurodynamic nerve tension stretching and strengthening exercises in the management of impairments related to back pain and sciatica. These can include low back pain, joint stiffness, muscle tightness, nerve pain, restricted range of motion and weakness.