SCIATICA
Sciatica can cause pain from the lower back or buttock into the leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness.
At FITE Health Physiotherapy in Chester-le-Street, we assess your symptoms, movement and nerve function where relevant, and help you build a manageable recovery plan.
Your rehabilitation may include advice on staying active, graded exercises, strengthening and hands-on care where appropriate. We tailor the plan to your work, daily activities and goals.
Early morning and evening appointments help you fit care around your routine.
Your assessment explores how symptoms started, what eases or aggravates them, previous episodes and the impact on your daily life.
We may assess back and hip movement, strength, walking and nerve function. Your findings guide a personalised programme and whether further medical assessment is appropriate.
We explain the plan clearly and review your progress as activity increases.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica describes symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. A disc problem is one possible cause, but assessment considers the overall pattern of your symptoms.
Leg Pain and Tingling
Pain may travel through the buttock and down one leg. Pins and needles or numbness can occur.
Movement and Activity
We help you find manageable ways to keep moving, then progress exercise and everyday activity according to your response.
Persistent Symptoms
For ongoing symptoms, we review strength, function and activity tolerance, and advise when medical review may be needed.
Symptoms and Recovery
Sciatica commonly affects one leg and may include pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. We tailor rehabilitation to your symptoms and function, with regular review.
When to Seek Urgent Help
Go to A&E or call 999 for symptoms on both sides, severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs, numbness around the genitals or bottom, or new difficulty controlling or passing urine or stools. These can indicate a serious spinal problem.
Arrange medical review if pain is worsening, preventing normal activities or not improving.
Our Treatment Approach
ASSESS
Every plan starts with a full assessment of your symptoms, movement, strength, and history. We take the time to properly understand your pain and your goals, so we can identify the real cause, not just treat the symptoms.
TREAT
We find the cause of your symptoms and provide targeted treatment to ease pain and improve mobility. It includes hands-on techniques like joint mobilisation, soft tissue work, massage and muscle release, used alongside exercise rather than instead of it.
EDUCATE
We help you understand your condition, so you have the knowledge to manage it yourself.
REBUILD
Your programme may include back and hip mobility, lower limb strengthening and a graded return to walking, work and exercise. We adjust the progression to your symptoms, function and goals.
PREVENT
We work on your movement, strength, and habits to lower the risk of it happening again.