Sciatica Pain Northampton & Corby
Your Local Experts in Back Pain Relief
Are you struggling with Sciaitca and looking for effective, professional treatment? At Team Rehab UK Ltd, our dedicated clinics in Brixworth and Corby offer top-tier physiotherapy services to help you regain your mobility and live pain-free. With a minimum of 24 years of experience each, our highly skilled chartered physiotherapists are committed to providing personalised care tailored to your specific needs.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and extends through the buttocks, down the back of each leg to the thighs and feet. Sciatica refers to the pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. In most cases we are actually more interested clinically in what is behind the irritation of the nerve because this is what actually needs to be targeted by the treatment approach given to get you better.
Sciatica typically occurs on one side of the body due to the anatomy involved and can be acute, lasting for a few weeks or chronic, persisting for more than 3 months. In most cases, sciatica resolves within a few weeks or months and rarely causes permanent nerve damage.
Causes
Some medical conditions that can cause sciatica include:
-
Herniated disc
-
Lumbar spinal stenosis
-
Piriformis syndrome
-
Spondylolisthesis
-
Degenerative disc disease
-
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
-
Diabetes
-
Tumour
-
Trauma
If you think you know why you have sciatica we've added a convenient slider to help you find direct access to some articles more specific to certain conditions.
Signs and Symptoms
Sciatica is the pain felt from a compressed sciatic nerve and typically occurs on one side of the body. The pain can vary from mild to debilitating depending on the degree of pressure exerted on the sciatic nerve.
Patients with a compressed sciatic nerve often experience symptoms such as:
-
Pain in the lower back, buttock area, and leg
-
Sharp, intense, shooting pain down the leg
-
Numbness, burning, or tingling sensations in the leg or foot
-
Weakness of the leg or foot
-
Pain that increases with coughing, sneezing, or straining
-
Pain that increases with bending backward and with prolonged sitting or standing
If you experience tingling or numbness in both legs simultaneously, changes in bowel or bladder control, or altered sensation around your anus or genitals, this may indicate Cauda Equina Syndrome. This condition requires urgent attention at a hospital.
For more specific information about these symptoms, please visit our dedicated article. If you suspect you have these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Diagnosis
Your Team Rehab uk physiotherapist will thoroughly review your symptoms and medical history, followed by a detailed physical examination. This examination will assess your range of motion, muscle strength, neurological functions (such as reflexes), and some special testing specific to neurological symptoms. This enables us to determine the source of your sciatica symptoms so that we can then make informed decisions on how best to formulate a plan with you moving forwards, during your recovery process.
Whilst some practitioners may request X-rays for sciatica pain, we generally discourage this except in very specific circumstances. If our specialists suspect structural abnormalities such as fractures, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, or in some cases, organic causes like tumours, an X-ray may be appropriate in the first instance for speed.
In most other cases, if our specialists are concerned about your symptoms, their findings, or if you are not responding as expected to treatment, an MRI of the affected region may be ordered. An MRI provides a detailed image of almost all local structures, including discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Additionally, blood tests may be ordered to diagnose conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Treatment at Team Rehab uk
Treatment for sciatica is often conservative in nature, meaning that surgery is typically not required. There are various effective methods we use for treating the symptoms of sciatica, including:
Physiotherapy
-
Soft Tissue/Myofascial Release
-
Bony Mobilizations
-
Exercises
-
Kinesio Taping
-
Electrotherapy
-
Acupuncture
-
Comprehensive Advice and Education
Medications
-
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers
-
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Other Treatments
-
Cold and Heat Packs: Application of cold or heat packs, or both, can help ease pain, discomfort, and stiffness.
-
Activity Modification: Simply adjusting or avoiding irritating activities can lead to significant pain relief.
These conservative treatments can effectively manage and alleviate your sciatica symptoms, helping you return to your daily activities with minimal discomfort. In cases where our specialists are concerned regarding your presentations or progress, further investigations and onwards referrals may be recommended and we can help you to facilitate this via our extensive networking connections.
Summary
Sciatica is a painful condition caused due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. Other symptoms include numbness or weakness in the lower back or leg. Sciatica pain may worsen with prolonged sitting, bending, or coughing. Treatment includes physiotherapy, medications, hot or cold packs, and in severe cases, injections & surgery.
We have included this video animation to help you visualise the anatomy that we, as professionals, often take for granted. At Team Rehab UK, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand the causes of their symptoms, empowering them to effectively manage their condition both during and after their treatment.
Please note that some of our videos may be of American origin and might contain slightly different professional terms or approaches compared to those used in the UK. However, the content remains highly informative and beneficial. You should seek advice form your UK based specialist before trying any advice contained, or inferred, in the video you ensure it complies with UK best practice standards.
Why Choose Team Rehab UK Ltd When You Need Help?
Extensive Experience and Expertise
Our team of physiotherapists boast more than 24 years of hands-on experience each, in treating a wide range of back pain conditions. This extensive experience ensures that you receive the highest standard of care, utilising proven techniques and the latest advancements in physiotherapy.
Tailored Treatment Plans
At Team Rehab UK Ltd, we understand that every patient is unique. Our physiotherapists conduct thorough assessments to develop personalised treatment plans that address the root cause of your back pain. Whether you're suffering from acute discomfort or chronic pain, we have the expertise to help.
Our Commitment to Your Well-Being with Patient-Centered Care
Your health and well-being are our top priorities. We take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and work collaboratively with you to achieve lasting relief from back pain. Our friendly and supportive team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Ongoing Support and Education
We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain a healthy spine. Our physiotherapists provide ongoing support and education, helping you prevent future injuries and manage your condition effectively.
Convenient Locations in Brixworth and Corby
Brixworth Clinic
Our main rehabilitation centre in Northampton (Brixworth) was purpose built with the sole aim of providing the best opportunities for our expert team to provide you with the best recovery potential. Open in April 2024, the clinic is conveniently located and easily accessible, offering a welcoming environment where you can receive the highest standard of care. We are committed to making your visit as comfortable and effective as possible.
Corby Clinic
The Corby clinic is a much smaller set up within the Lakeside medical centre but we strive to deliver the same exceptional physiotherapy services, within the confines of the setting, ensuring that high-quality physiotherapy is available to the wider community. Our dedicated team is ready to help you overcome back pain and improve your quality of life.
Meet The Physiotherapy Team
WHY WE STAND OUT
At our physiotherapy company, we pride ourselves on standing out in the community through a combination of significant expertise, outstanding patient satisfaction, and a brand new purpose built rehabilitation centre in Brixworth. Our team of four highly experienced physiotherapists collectively bring over 120 years of clinical experience, ensuring that each patient receives the highest level of skills, knowledge and continuity of care.
We have successfully completed over 16,500 sessions, earning a stellar reputation with five-star reviews from our satisfied clients and are highly regarded by local consultants and GP's.
We reinvest our profits into continually enhancing our facilities, including our newly built MSK-focused rehab centre. This centre, which is now our main hub, alongside our satellite clinic in Corby, offers patients the opportunity to rehabilitate to their fullest potential, with access to a specialised gym for their individualized plans between sessions. Our commitment to excellence and comprehensive care ensures that our patients achieve optimal recovery and health outcomes.
Our Company Mantra of
Honesty, Quality and Integrity in Physiotherapy Healthcare
guides every aspect of our practice
-
Is this like a spa massage?No, this is what we refer to a sports massage and although is included several different techniques depending on the preferred outcome of the client, it is generally not considered a 'relaxing' experience! We do use waxes and creams for anti friction purposes but these are not highly fragranced, nor do we burn candles, incenses sticks etc.
-
Will a sports a massage hurt?This is a great question but greatly depends on the individual and how they perceive pain - some people enjoy it more than others! Although we obviously vary the intensity and massage contents to best fit the clients needs and expectations it is highly likely that you will consider it to be uncomfortable at some point during the session.
-
Will I get a bruise after the sports massage?As a rule of thumb we do not leave bruises but there may be redness and heat following a sports massage. This is not normally due to a traumatic response but more a stimulation of blood flow and subsequent chemicals in the treated area. We do not recommend this type of massage for clients on blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, clopigoderol etc as you are much more likely to bruise due to your medically induced inability to clot. You also tend to find that women bruise/mark more readily then men and some skin types are also much more susceptible. So bruising is not our aim, however we cannot 100% rule it out either.
-
Should I get regular sports massage?Unlike Physiotherapy, where we do not support the long-term ongoing management of symptoms without the exhaustion of all related investigations and external specialist options first, sports massage can be used much more readily in specific pre-event preparation, post even recovery, and alongside regular training as a proactive approach. The most common duration between repeated sessions in 4-6 weeks but some people prefer to use it only when they feel they need it, which is fine. You must find the best fit for you as an individual. At the other end of the scale, during intense pre event training, some clients prefer to visit several times per week for a limited period. We have no presets here at Team Rehab but prefer to work with each and every one of you individually to best fit your own situation, goas and expectations.
-
Why do you seem more expensive that some other providers?We are at the more premium end of the massage market but this is largely due to the fact your sports massage is carried out by a highly trained and experienced chartered physiotherapists with more than 24 years experience. Unlike many clinics, our physiotherapists are all also employed members of staff so we have those overheads to cover. We never apologise for our prices as they reflect the skill of our practitioners and enable us to deliver your services in premium environments such as our new rehabilitation centre in Brixworth.
-
How much clothing will I need to remove?This largely depends on the area you would like us to target. You should always wear appropriate clothing regardless of the gender of your practitioner and it is worth giving this some thought before arriving. We will do our very best to maintain your dignity at all times and ensure you are happy and relaxed. You are very welcome to bring a chaperone should you wish who can sit in the room with you, we have plenty of space. At no point will any of our experts exam or expose any genitalia or sensitive areas. Expectation or requests of this nature will results in the immediate cessation of the session and you will not be re booked.
-
I have heard I need to hydrate well after massage, is this true?Absolutely, yes. Any type of hands on massage or soft tissue work will result in fluid shifts of one form or another, across various structures. It is very common for people to feel very thirst, or have the symptoms of mild dehydration such as fatigue or headaches, after treatment, if they do not specifically rehydrate afterwards. A must if you want to get the full benefit.
Still Unsure of Something?
We do our very best to put as much on our website as possible however we appreciate there will still be lots of questions and queries. No problem whatsoever, call us for urgent topics or use our contact form to communicate with one of our experts.