Sciatica: How Physical Therapy Can Help
Sciatica Pain Relief in San Diego – How Physical Therapy & Pilates Can Help
Sciatica… or sciatic nerve irritation… or pain down your leg that starts in your back.
At Revive PT & Pilates, we regularly hear from patients suffering with either pain, tingling, or numbness that makes even simple daily tasks feel impossible. Many people describe limping, burning pain down the leg, or deep tightness in the back of the hip.
Medical doctors often suggest physical therapy and targeted stretching as a first step for relief. While treatment can begin even during painful flare-ups, the long-term goal is always the same: relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve so you can move freely again—without limping, stiffness, or constant discomfort.
How Does Sciatica Cause Pain?
Sciatica is not a formal medical diagnosis—it’s a description of a symptom that signals something deeper is going on.
The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in your body (about as thick as your thumb), runs from your lower back through your hips and buttocks, and down the back of each leg. When compressed or irritated, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness anywhere along its path.
Common causes of sciatica include:
Pregnancy
Pelvic misalignment
Herniated disc
Stenosis (narrowing of the nerve space)
Tight hip or glute muscles reducing flexibility
Any of these issues can create pressure or inflammation that “pinches” the nerve, leading to sharp pain in the lower back, buttock, thigh, or even all the way to the toes.
Why Sciatica Pain Feels So Intense
Sciatica is often described as one of the most painful back conditions. Because the sciatic nerve is so large, irritation can affect multiple areas at once—including the lumbar spine, buttocks, thighs, behind the knees, ankles, and feet.
Nerve compression may cause:
Burning or shooting pain
Tingling or numbness
Muscle weakness
Difficulty standing, walking, or bending
Everyone experiences sciatica differently. Some people feel pain in both legs, while others only on one side. For some, it’s constant and disabling; for others, it comes in waves.
How to Manage Sciatica Symptoms
Unlike other types of back pain, one of the most important rules for sciatica is: don’t stop moving. Staying active helps maintain back and leg muscle strength, which reduces pressure on the nerve.
But when even small movements feel excruciating, it’s nearly impossible to know what’s safe—or what might make it worse. That’s why doctors often recommend physical therapy for sciatica.
At Revive PT & Pilates, we guide you through:
Gentle, pain-free stretches to ease nerve compression
Core and hip strengthening to stabilize your spine
Massage therapy techniques to release tight tissues
Safe movement strategies so you know how to bend, lift, and move without triggering pain
Why Choose Revive PT & Pilates for Sciatica Relief?
At Revive PT & Pilates in Encinitas, we go beyond traditional therapy by safely integrating therapeutic Pilates into your recovery. This allows us to:
Build strength in your core and stabilizing muscles
Improve flexibility in your hips and lower back
Keep you moving in a pain-free range
Support long-term healing and prevent flare-ups
Research shows that starting physical therapy within 10–14 days of sciatica symptoms leads to faster, longer-lasting recovery. The sooner you start, the sooner you can get back to walking, sitting, and exercising comfortably again.
Get Started with Sciatica Treatment in San Diego
If you’re experiencing sciatica pain, don’t wait and hope it goes away on its own. The longer the nerve stays irritated, the harder it is to recover.
👉 Call us today at (760) 503-4440 or email info@reviveptandpilates.com to arrange a FREE Discovery Visit with one of our back and sciatica specialists.
