We are a welcoming osteopathic practice with clinics in Millbrook, Saltash and Looe, offering effective physical therapy treatment for sciatica and a range of related conditions including back pain clinic and sports injury clinic services. We are a long-established practice and our experienced clinicians are dedicated to getting you back to full health in the shortest possible time.
Booking is easy using our online system. There are no long wait times and you can usually see an osteopath face-to-face within 24-48 hours of making your appointment. Initial appointments are 60 minutes long, allowing enough time to give you a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis and begin treatment. We are here to help and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sciatica relates to any inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve. There are two sciatic nerves, one on either side of the body. The sciatic nerves are the longest in the body, originating in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine in the lower back. They then run through the buttocks and down the back of each leg, terminating in the lower leg and foot. The nerves are responsible for movement and sensation in many parts of the leg.
Sciatica can have a variety of causes, including various spinal issues like a slipped disc or spinal stenosis. It can also be caused by trauma to the area, and is also not uncommon during pregnancy, when the additional weight and softening of spinal structures can compress the nerve. In some cases, the root cause of sciatica is unknown.
The symptoms of sciatica are varied but are characterised by pain anywhere along the path of the sciatic nerve, i.e. from the lower back through the buttocks and down one or both legs. The pain might feel like a shooting, burning or tingling sensation. The pain may be continuous or intermittent, mild or severe, and may be made worse by certain movements or positions. You may also notice a loss of strength or sensation in the affected leg.
The varied symptoms of sciatica and the fact that similar symptoms may be caused by a different issue mean that it is necessary to see an experienced physical therapist for an accurate diagnosis.
There are various treatments for sciatica depending on the severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause of your sciatica. Although in extreme cases surgery or steroid injections may be required, this is not necessary for most people and physical therapy is an ideal treatment for most cases. Beginning with an initial diagnosis, a physical therapist can identify the causes of your sciatica through a physical examination and use the appropriate treatment modalities to address the underlying causes. These might include direct spinal manipulation to realign the spine and release pressure on the sciatic nerve, massage, mobilisation and dry needling, also known as Western acupuncture.
Self-care and living a healthy lifestyle can also play a large part in managing sciatica and in very mild cases might be enough to manage the sciatica alone. These include regular exercises, stretching, maintaining a healthy posture, and avoiding any physical positions which are likely to exacerbate your symptoms. Your osteopath will advise you on the best things you can do in your particular case.
We have two welcoming and conveniently situated clinics
Osteopathy is an ideal treatment for most cases of sciatica. Osteopathy is a hands-on physical therapy and osteopaths are experts in treating problems with the musculoskeletal system. Osteopaths consider the body as a whole and are able to identify and diagnose the underlying causes of your sciatica, and treat the problem at its root.
Osteopaths train for a minimum of 4 years and are registered and regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council. Osteopathy is recognised as one of the 14 Allied Health Professions and many osteopaths work in musculoskeletal departments of the NHS. Osteopaths are also trained Primary Care Practitioners, able to diagnose your condition in the first instance, and refer you for further tests if necessary, or to a different therapy if more appropriate.
You can read more about osteopathy on our osteopathy page.
We are an osteopathic practice with clinics in Millbrook, Saltash and Looe. Our patient-centred practitioners have many years experience treating patients with sciatica and related conditions such as back pain and arthritis. Our initial appointment is 60 minutes long, giving enough time for you to fully explain your symptoms, take a medical history, carry out a full physical examination and diagnosis, and begin treating your sciatica straight away. You will normally notice an improvement from the first session.
Booking is easy with our online system. There are no long wait times and you can usually see an osteopath for a face-to-face appointment within 24-48 hours of booking. We are here to help, and if you have any questions about our treatments or how we can help, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Osteopaths are able to help with a wide range of complaints including aches and pains, minor injuries, and chronic conditions. If you’re not sure whether we can help in your case, please contact us for a free telephone consultation.
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Yvonne Cosbie BOst BSc, osteopath and clinical director, Whole Body Osteopathy.
Web design by Market Your Clinic Online
