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Sciatica Treatment in Perth

Leg pain, tingling, and numbness that won't quit -- we identify the source and get your sciatic nerve moving freely again.

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Sciatica

Sciatica Treatment in Perth

Sciatica describes pain, tingling, or numbness that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve -- typically from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg. It may extend below the knee and into the foot, and is frequently accompanied by sharp or burning pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing. In some cases there is weakness in the leg or foot alongside the sensory symptoms.

Despite being extremely common, sciatica is frequently misunderstood and poorly managed. At Move Physiotherapy, we don't treat "sciatica" as a diagnosis -- we treat the cause. Whether it's a disc irritation, a tight piriformis, or nerve root compression in the lumbar spine, accurate diagnosis determines effective treatment. Most cases resolve fully with the right physiotherapy management, without the need for surgery or injections.

Sciatica
Sciatica

Causes

Common Causes of Sciatica

Lumbar disc bulge or prolapse compressing a nerve root
Piriformis syndrome -- sciatic nerve compression in the buttock
Lumbar facet joint irritation
Spinal stenosis -- narrowing of the spinal canal
Muscle tightness in the gluteals compressing the nerve
Degenerative disc disease
Spondylolisthesis -- vertebral slippage
Sedentary work habits and prolonged sitting
Heavy manual labour or repetitive bending
Pregnancy-related pelvic changes

Our Approach

The Move Process

01
Neural Assessment
We assess nerve mobility, lower limb reflexes, and sensation to confirm the diagnosis and identify the level of involvement.
02
Targeted Treatment
Treatment targets the source -- whether that's the lumbar spine, the piriformis, or nerve mobility exercises.
03
Nerve Mobilisation
Specific neural mobilisation techniques to restore normal nerve movement and reduce irritation.
04
Strength & Prevention
Progressive loading of the lumbar spine and hip musculature to take pressure off the nerve and prevent recurrence.

Why Move Physiotherapy

What sets us apart

✦
Accurate Diagnosis First
Sciatica has multiple causes -- disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, joint irritation, stenosis. The treatment differs significantly for each. We identify the source before treating.
✦
Neural Mobilisation Expertise
Specific neural mobilisation techniques to restore normal nerve movement and reduce irritation are a core part of our sciatica management -- not an afterthought.
✦
Non-Surgical Approach
The vast majority of sciatica cases resolve fully with physiotherapy. We will tell you honestly if your presentation is one of the rare cases where surgical review is warranted.
✦
Strength Rehabilitation
Sciatica recovery is not just about reducing nerve irritation -- building the lumbar and hip strength that takes pressure off the nerve is what prevents recurrence.
✦
Disc Expertise
For sciatica arising from disc pathology, we understand the natural history of disc injuries and guide your rehabilitation to work with that process -- not against it.
✦
3 Perth Locations
Beeliar, Booragoon and East Fremantle with early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does sciatica take to recover?+
Most acute sciatica cases show significant improvement within 4-8 weeks of physiotherapy. The speed of recovery depends on the cause: nerve compression from an acute disc herniation may improve quickly as the disc resorbs, while piriformis-related sciatica or stenosis-related presentations often have a slower but still positive trajectory. Large extruded disc herniations actually have some of the best natural histories -- the extruded material triggers an inflammatory and phagocytic response that gradually resolves the compression. Full resolution can take 3-6 months in moderate-to-severe cases. Your physiotherapist will give you a realistic timeline based on your clinical findings.
Is sciatica always caused by a disc?+
No. While lumbar disc herniation is the most common cause, sciatica can also arise from piriformis syndrome (where the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve in the buttock), lumbar joint irritation, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal or foramina), or in rare cases, space-occupying lesions. Each cause requires a different treatment approach -- which is why accurate diagnosis before treatment is non-negotiable. A physiotherapist can differentiate between these causes clinically in most cases, using neural tension tests, lumbar assessment, and a thorough history.
Should I get an MRI for sciatica?+
Not necessarily as a first step. The majority of sciatica cases can be diagnosed and managed clinically without imaging. MRI is recommended when: neurological symptoms are severe or rapidly progressing (significant weakness, changes in reflexes, or reduced sensation); there are red flag symptoms (unexplained weight loss, fever, bowel/bladder changes); conservative management has failed after 6-8 weeks; or surgery is being considered. It is also worth noting that MRI findings in the lumbar spine are frequently "abnormal" in pain-free individuals, so imaging is best interpreted alongside your clinical presentation.
Can I keep exercising with sciatica?+
In most cases, yes -- with appropriate modification. Staying active is important for recovery and should not be avoided out of fear. However, certain movements -- particularly sustained flexion, heavy lifting with a bent back, or anything that peripheralises your symptoms (pushes pain further down the leg) -- should be avoided in the acute phase. Your physiotherapist will guide you specifically on what to continue, what to modify, and what to avoid. Generally, walking, swimming, and gentle movement are appropriate early activities. Progressive strengthening is introduced as nerve irritation settles.
What is the difference between sciatica and referred back pain?+
Referred pain from the lumbar spine (without nerve involvement) tends to be a dull, diffuse ache that spreads into the buttock or upper thigh -- it rarely extends below the knee and is not associated with tingling, numbness, or specific weakness. True sciatica involves the sciatic nerve and typically produces sharp, burning, or electric pain that travels down the back of the leg, often below the knee and into the foot, with associated neurological symptoms. The distinction matters for treatment: neural mobilisation and nerve-specific interventions are appropriate for true sciatica but not for referred pain. Your physiotherapist will differentiate these presentations clinically.

Ready to get moving?

Beeliar, Booragoon and East Fremantle -- early morning, evening and Saturday appointments available.

Book OnlineCall 08 6113 8062