Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain that radiates from your lower back down through your buttock and leg, often with pins and needles or numbness. We assess the exact cause and relieve it with hands-on treatment, targeted exercises and clear guidance at our Marple clinic.
Understanding Your Condition
Sciatica describes irritation of the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in your body, which runs from your lower back down through your buttock and into your leg. When it's irritated, you feel pain, tingling, numbness or weakness along its path, often on one side.
It can be alarming, especially when the pain is sharp or shoots down your leg, but the good news is that the vast majority of sciatica settles well with the right physiotherapy. At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we identify what's irritating your nerve, calm the irritation, and build a plan to ease your symptoms and stop them returning.
What You Feel
- Sharp or shooting pain down one leg, often below the knee
- Pins and needles, tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain in the buttock that worsens when sitting
- Lower back pain alongside leg symptoms
- Weakness in the leg or a feeling it won't support you
- Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing or straining
- Difficulty straightening the leg or walking comfortably
- A burning or electric sensation along the nerve path
Common Causes
- A disc bulge pressing on or irritating the nerve root
- Narrowing of the spinal spaces irritating the nerve (stenosis)
- Tight piriformis muscle in the buttock compressing the nerve
- Inflammation or irritation around the nerve root
- Poor bending and lifting mechanics overloading the lower back
- Weak core and glute muscles failing to support the spine
- Prolonged sitting and sedentary postures
- Sudden bending, twisting or lifting movements
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
Sciatica can affect adults of all ages and activity levels, from desk workers to manual labourers to keen gardeners. We help people with acute, sudden sciatica that has appeared in the last few days, as well as those with recurring or longer-standing leg pain that comes and goes.
If your leg pain is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or changes in your bladder or bowel control, it's important to seek prompt medical attention — we'll screen carefully for these 'red flags' at your first appointment and ensure you're in the right place for your care.
Struggling with Sciatica?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment is thorough and reassuring. We take a detailed history of your symptoms, examine your spine and leg movement, test your nerve mobility and reflexes, and perform specific tests to identify exactly where and why the nerve is being irritated.
Importantly, we screen for any signs that need medical review or imaging, so you're always safe. By the end of your first session, you'll understand what's causing your sciatica, how we'll treat it, and what you can start doing immediately to ease it.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Detailed assessment to identify the source of nerve irritation
- Hands-on treatment to mobilise the spine and relieve pressure on the nerve
- Nerve mobility and centralisation exercises to settle leg symptoms
- Targeted strengthening of the core, glutes and back muscles
- Advice on bending, lifting and sitting to protect your spine
- A progressive plan to restore full, pain-free movement
Expected Recovery
Most sciatica improves significantly within 4–6 weeks with the right treatment, and many people feel a real easing of leg pain within the first few sessions. Acute sciatica often settles faster, while longer-standing cases may take a little longer to fully resolve.
The key is addressing the underlying cause — not just the leg pain — so the problem doesn't keep returning. We give you the strength, knowledge and habits to manage your back confidently and keep the nerve free from irritation long-term.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional
Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Sciatica Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Root Cause, Not Just the Leg
We find what's actually irritating your nerve — not just where you feel the pain — so treatment targets the real problem and the sciatica doesn't keep returning.
Careful Red-Flag Screening
We screen for signs that need medical review or imaging at your first appointment, so you're always safe and always in the right place for your care.
Hands-On Every Session
Spinal mobilisation and nerve treatment in every session, combined with specific exercises — not just a generic advice sheet.
Clear Reassurance
Sciatica can be frightening. We explain your symptoms clearly, reassure you and give you a plan, so you understand exactly what's happening.
Same Physio Every Time
Continuity of care with a physio who knows your history, tracks your progress and adjusts your plan as your symptoms settle.
Free Parking in Marple
Based at Bowden Hall with free parking right at the door — easy, stress-free visits when moving is uncomfortable.
Related Conditions We Treat
Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common problems we treat at Complete Recovery Physio in Marple. Whether you're struggling with acute lower back pain, sciatica, upper back tension, disc-related issues, or chronic stiffness, our experienced physiotherapists can help you find lasting relief and regain confidence in your movement.
Learn More
Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common issues we treat at Complete Recovery Physio in Marple. Whether you're dealing with acute neck stiffness, tension headaches, whiplash, trapped nerves, postural pain from desk work, or long-standing chronic neck problems, our experienced physiotherapists can help you find real, lasting relief.
Learn More
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is extremely common and usually responds well to the right physiotherapy. We find the cause and ease the pain with hands-on treatment, targeted exercises and clear advice at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDisc Injury
A disc injury — sometimes called a slipped or herniated disc — can cause back and leg pain when it presses on a nerve. We settle the irritation and rebuild a strong, supported spine at our Marple clinic.
Learn MorePiriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome causes buttock and leg pain when a tight muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. We ease the tightness and restore balanced hip strength at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services
Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
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Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is the hands-on heart of physiotherapy — skilled joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and manipulation that reduces pain, restores movement and helps your body move freely again, delivered by experienced physiotherapists in Marple.
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Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise rehabilitation is the structured, progressive programme that rebuilds your strength, movement and confidence after injury or surgery — turning short-term relief into lasting recovery, guided by physiotherapists at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.