A trapped nerve occurs when a nerve coming from the spinal cord is irritated or compressed. With sciatic nerve irritation, pain may travel down the leg towards the calf or foot, and the leg pain can sometimes feel worse than the back pain.
Sciatica may also cause pins and needles, numbness or weakness in part of the buttock, leg or foot. It can be associated with inflammation following a ligament or muscle sprain, or with a prolapsed disc.
Common causes of sciatic nerve irritation
- Herniated disc: a disc can irritate or compress a nearby nerve.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spinal canal may put pressure on nerve structures.
- Piriformis syndrome: tightness in a deep buttock muscle can irritate the nearby sciatic nerve.
Physiotherapy for sciatica
- Assessment and diagnosis
- Information and advice about your injury
- Home exercise and physical-activity guidance
- Posture and gait analysis
- Manual therapy for short-term symptom relief, where appropriate
- Stretching and strengthening for the lower back, abdomen and thighs