Sciatica & nerve pain
Pain, tingling, or numbness that travels down the leg. Nerve problems respond to the right load and the right timing, not to waiting it out.
What’s actually happening
“Sciatica” is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The sciatic nerve is irritated somewhere along its path, most often at the lower spine, sometimes at the hip. Where it’s irritated determines what helps, which is why one person’s stretch is another person’s flare.
My own history with it
I had low back injuries with nerve involvement as a college wrestler. I know what it’s like to not trust your leg. It’s also what convinced me that the right rehab works.
What we do
A careful exam to find the directions and positions that ease the nerve, then a plan that gradually restores the nerve’s tolerance to movement and load. Nerve glides when they help, strength when the nerve is ready, and clear rules for what to avoid this week.
Red flags
Loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin area, or rapidly worsening weakness need an emergency evaluation, not a PT appointment.
Related conditions
Read more
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- Why your low back pain keeps coming backRest, stretching, and the foam roller treat the symptom. Here's what actually drives recurring low back pain and what to do about it.