Sciatica & Lower Back Pain
Expert physiotherapy to help you move with greater comfort and confidence
Are you struggling with lower back pain, a stiff back or shooting pain travelling down your leg? At RD Physiotherapy in Wokingham, our physiotherapy team helps people with back pain, spinal problems and sciatica understand their symptoms and work towards moving more comfortably.
Whether your pain has started recently, keeps returning or has been affecting your everyday life for months, we take time to understand your individual situation and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Sciatica - What Is It?
Sciatica describes pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down each leg.
Unlike ordinary lower back pain, sciatica often causes symptoms that travel down the buttock and leg, sometimes reaching the foot.
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
You may experience:
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Shooting, burning or sharp pain down one leg.
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Tingling or pins and needles in the leg or foot.
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Numbness or altered sensation.
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Weakness in the leg or foot.
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Pain that changes with certain movements, coughing or sneezing.
Sciatica can have several causes, and not all pain travelling into the leg is caused by the sciatic nerve. A suitable assessment can help clarify your symptoms and identify the next steps.
Lower Back Pain: The Cause?
Lower back pain is common and can affect people of all ages. It may develop suddenly after lifting, exercise or an awkward movement, or build gradually over time.
Possible contributing factors include muscle or ligament strain, spinal joint irritation, disc-related problems and age-related changes. Sometimes, there is no single identifiable cause.
Common Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain may involve:
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Aching or stiffness around the lower spine.
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Difficulty bending, lifting or turning.
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Discomfort when sitting or standing for long periods.
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Pain that interferes with sleep, work, walking or exercise.
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Recurring episodes that limit everyday activities.
Back pain and sciatica are not the same condition, although they can occur together. Understanding the pattern of your symptoms helps guide the most appropriate care.
For more info on sciatica and lower back pain read our blog
How Can Physiotherapy Help Sciatica and Back Pain?
Physiotherapy can help you understand your symptoms, improve movement and work towards your everyday goals. Your treatment will depend on your assessment, medical history and individual needs.
At RD Physiotherapy, Your Care May Include:
1. A thorough assessment
We discuss your symptoms, how they began, what makes them better or worse and how they affect your daily life. Your physiotherapist will assess relevant movement, strength and function, and consider whether further medical assessment is needed.
2. Hands-on physiotherapy
Where appropriate, manual therapy may be used alongside other treatment approaches to help manage pain, stiffness and movement difficulties.
3. Individualised exercises and rehabilitation
Your physiotherapist can recommend suitable exercises and a progressive rehabilitation plan based on your abilities, symptoms and goals.
4. Practical advice and self-management
We can help you understand how to manage everyday activities, pace your recovery and build confidence in movement.
5. Support for persistent or recurring pain
If your back pain or sciatica has been troubling you for some time, we can help assess the factors affecting your symptoms and discuss an appropriate plan for moving forwards.
Treatment is tailored to the individual. No single technique or exercise is right for everyone, and results and recovery times vary.
Why Choose RD Physiotherapy in Wokingham?
Our practice provides individualised physiotherapy for people experiencing spinal pain, back problems and other musculoskeletal conditions.
We aim to identify and address the root cause of your problem, rather than simply treating the symptoms, helping you achieve meaningful, longer-lasting improvements wherever possible.
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Personalised care: We consider your symptoms, circumstances and goals to develop a treatment plan tailored to you.
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Root-cause approach: We look beyond the painful area to identify the underlying factors contributing to your problem and address them as part of your recovery.
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Hands-on expertise: Manual therapy is an important part of our approach, where appropriate, to help improve movement and manage pain.
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Movement and rehabilitation: We combine treatment with tailored advice and exercises to improve strength, mobility and function.
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A whole-person perspective: We consider how your symptoms affect your daily life, work and activities to support your overall recovery.
Book Your Initial Appointment With Us Today