Sciatica — that shooting, burning pain that radiates from your lower back through your buttock and down your leg — can be debilitating. Many patients come to us at Manant Physiotherapy Kharadi fearing they'll need surgery. The reassuring news is that the vast majority of sciatica cases respond extremely well to physiotherapy alone.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. The most common causes include:

  • Lumbar disc herniation (slipped disc pressing on the nerve)
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
  • Piriformis syndrome (muscle in the buttock compressing the nerve)
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

How Physiotherapy Treats Sciatica

McKenzie Method

This evidence-based approach uses directional exercises to "centralise" sciatic pain — moving it from the leg back toward the lower back — and eventually eliminate it. It's one of the most effective physiotherapy methods for disc-related sciatica.

Neural Mobilisation

Gentle nerve-gliding exercises help free the sciatic nerve from surrounding tissues, reducing irritation and improving nerve conduction.

Manual Therapy

Joint mobilisation of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint can quickly reduce nerve compression and provide significant pain relief.

Traction Therapy

Spinal traction gently decompresses the lumbar discs, creating space for bulging disc material to retract away from the nerve.

Core Strengthening

A weak core is a major contributing factor to sciatica. We prescribe targeted exercises to strengthen the deep stabilising muscles of the lumbar spine.

What the Research Says

Studies consistently show that physiotherapy is as effective as surgery for most disc-related sciatica, with significantly lower risk and faster recovery. Most patients who commit to physiotherapy avoid surgery entirely.

📊 Research Fact: Approximately 90% of sciatica patients recover within 12 weeks with appropriate conservative treatment, including physiotherapy — without needing surgery.

If you're suffering from sciatica in Pune, don't wait. Book your assessment at Manant Physiotherapy, Kharadi →