Sciatica Physiotherapy in Eastbourne

Pain travelling down your leg can make sitting, driving, sleeping or walking difficult. You might also notice tingling, numbness or a burning sensation, and wonder whether you should keep moving or rest.

At DC Physiotherapy, we assess people with suspected sciatica at our clinic at Foundry in The Beacon, central Eastbourne. We’ll help you understand your symptoms, decide whether physiotherapy is appropriate and work towards the activities that have become difficult.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes leg symptoms associated with irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it. Symptoms commonly affect one side and may travel from the buttock into the leg, foot or toes. Back pain can be present, but the leg symptoms may be more troublesome.

A disc-related problem or narrowing around the nerves in the lower back can contribute. However, pain in the buttock or leg is not automatically sciatica. Hip problems, muscle or tendon pain and other conditions can produce overlapping symptoms.

You don’t need a confirmed diagnosis before booking. Establishing what appears to be contributing to the problem is part of your assessment.

What Happens at Your Appointment?

We’ll ask where your symptoms travel, when they started and how they change with sitting, walking, bending or other activities. We’ll also discuss your health, any previous episodes and what you want to get back to.

The examination may include checking your back and hip movement, leg strength, sensation and reflexes, alongside tests that assess how your nerves respond to movement. These findings help us judge whether nerve involvement is likely and whether medical assessment is needed.

We’ll explain our findings and agree on a plan. If you’ve already had investigations or treatment, bring any available reports so we can consider them alongside your current symptoms.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Treatment usually combines practical advice with exercises suited to your symptoms and current ability. This might involve finding more manageable positions, breaking up prolonged sitting and gradually building your tolerance to walking, work or exercise.

Hands-on treatment may sometimes help with pain or movement, but it would form part of a wider plan that includes exercise. There isn’t one stretch or exercise programme that suits everyone with sciatica.

Complete bed rest is generally unhelpful. Some activities may need adjusting temporarily, and we can help you decide what to continue, what to modify and how to progress. We’ll review your response and adapt the plan if symptoms change or progress is limited.

Do I Need a Scan?

Usually, a scan is not needed before an initial physiotherapy assessment. Many people can start treatment based on their history and examination.

Scans may be appropriate when the findings could change treatment or when symptoms suggest a problem requiring further investigation. If symptoms remain severe, fail to improve or are accompanied by concerning changes, we’ll explain when medical review is appropriate. Recovery varies, so we won’t promise a fixed number of appointments.

When Should I Seek Medical Help?

Go to A&E immediately if you develop numbness around your genitals or bottom, new difficulty passing urine or loss of bladder or bowel control. Sciatica affecting both sides, or severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs, also needs emergency assessment.

Seek urgent medical advice for new or worsening leg weakness, including difficulty lifting your foot. These symptoms should not wait for a routine physiotherapy appointment.

Leg pain affecting your day-to-day life?