Which health professionals treat sciatica?

Physiotherapists have quite a few treatment techniques that are very beneficial in treating sciatica as well as showing clients exercises and positions that they can use to reduce their pain and to prevent its reoccurrence.

Many types of health professionals including physiotherapists, osteopathy and sports physicians (among others).
I am a McKenzie specialised physiotherapist and this is our main area of expertise!

The following health professionals treat sciatica: Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists. Your Chiropractor in Gladstone recommends stretches for the
Piriformis muscles and a spinal adjustment to relieve the condition. If your spine or hips are out of alignment then the piriformis muscle can become tight and thereby irritate the sciatic nerve causing sciatica. For more tips call your Gladstone Chiropractor on 49722786 or visit www.platinumchiropracticcentre.com.au

I had severe sciatica a few years ago due to a prolapsed disc impinging the sciatic nerve in my lower spine. I went to a chiropractor, did Bowen therapy etc, but it wasn't until I saw a physiotherapist that I could really address the problem. She gave me a number of specific exercises to do daily … simple exercises … and this gradually fixed the problem. The pain lessened and eventually I was fine. It all had to do with strengthening particular muscles to remove the pressure on the nerve. 

Sciatica is an issue that I as an Osteopath seen everyday. In order to properly treat the “sciatica” you must have a more accurate diagnosis. (Many people dont actually realise that “Sciatica” is a symptom and not a diagnosis.) Once an accurate disgnosis is made then Osteopathic treatment can take the form of muscle and or joint work to reduce the symptoms and restore better mobility. For any questions on this please call us at Spring Osteo Clinic on 03 9830 7044. 

Sciatica can be treated by several practitioners.  These include GP's who will give medication for treatment.  Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Massage Therapists and Naturopaths.  Some times people will also seek help from a surgeon or a neurologist for help with more difficult conditions.  Radiating symptoms down the leg can be a very serious condition, so if you are someone you know are suffering with Sciatica, please seek help ASAP.   I specialize in Quantum Neurology, a new form of treatment in Australia which helps many different conditions within the nervous system.  

Hi
As noted by the other repliers Sciatica is a word meaning pain down the leg. Your first step is in finding out where this pain is coming from and why.

Is it related to a disc protrusion or a nerve impingement or is it more simply referred pain from an irritated structure in the back? Physiotherapists are skilled in diagnosing this type of problem and have the knowledge of pathology and pain to be accurate.
 
If you have any pins and needles or weakness in your leg, you may be better seeing your doctor for investigations and an opinion.

As an Osteopath I see many people with sciatic problems on a daily basis. Sciatica is a very common yet complex condition that arises from compression of the nerve in the lower back, this usually results in numbness and tingling or sharp pains down the hamstring and can even go down the leg as far as the calf muscle and toes.

There are many causes of sciatica. Some of the most common causes are: a disc bulge, piriformis syndrome, bony outgrowths which are known as osteophytes, spinal stenosis, or ‘slippage’ of vertebrae which we term spondylolisthesis.

It is very important to have yourself assesed by an Osteopath to determine the cause of your sciatic symptoms, so you can be treated and managed accordingly. People who do not seek proper management and care from a health professional may become worse and usually result with muscle wasting and weakness as well as chronic ongoing issues.

Any complimentary therapy can treat sciatica, but the 3 most common ones are Osteopathy, Chiropractic, and Physiotherapy. Ultimately it is your choice, or go by recommendations of friends/family, that is how we get most of our patients.
Sciatica is a symptoms, there are a few different problems that can cause it. A proper examination, and assessment can help to determine the cause of your problem, and give you a better idea of what to expect, and how long it may take to heal.
If you would lke more info, dont hesitate to contact Dr. Felix (Osteopath) at Bentleigh Natural Medicine, 03 9557 9898.

If you have sciatica, a McKenzie trained therapist will aim to find:

• one key exercise to rapidly relieve your pain
  
• show you exercises and movements to avoid
  
• typically sees patients 4-5 times
  
• always aims to show you how to stop the pain from coming back.
  

Most therapists treat back and sciatic pain and limitation but with different methods.

The first most important step is to get an accurate diagnosis of the type of injury and the stage of healing it is at. As a Specialist Muscloskeletal Physiotherapist I treat all back pain from minor muslce strains, arthritic facet joints or acute sprains and all grades of acute and chronic disc injuries, bulges,and degeneratioon.

I am also skilled in helping you to retrain your stability and posture to allow you to lead a less painful and more active live.
Helen Potter Subiaco

As a Bowen Therapist, I successfully treat many clients presenting with the symptoms of sciatica.  The treatment usually requires one or two sessions and a good Bowen Therapist will also recommend stretching and strengthening exercises where deemed appropriate.