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Sciatica in Banstead, Surrey
If you’re struggling with sciatica – that sharp, shooting pain down your leg, the nagging ache in your lower back, or the numbness and tingling that just won’t settle – it’s very tempting to hope it will simply pass with a bit of rest. Maybe you’ve blamed it on a long day, sitting too much, or lifting something awkwardly…
But it’s not going away – and now it’s getting harder to ignore.
If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone – we hear this all the time. Sciatica is one of the most common issues people come to see us about at our physio clinic here in Banstead, Surrey, especially when the pain starts to interfere with walking, sleeping, work, or daily life.
Click The Video Below To Learn How We Can Help Fix Your Sciatica!
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is one of the most debilitating conditions we treat at Body Zest. It occurs when the sciatic nerve – the largest nerve in the body – becomes irritated or compressed. This can happen for several reasons, most commonly:
A disc problem in the lower back
A nerve impingement within the spinal joints
A compression of the nerve within the deep buttock muscles, often involving the piriformis
Because the sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg, any pressure placed along its pathway can cause severe, radiating symptoms. Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial. True sciatica behaves very differently from a simple muscle strain and requires a very different treatment plan. Understanding exactly where the nerve is being compressed allows us to design a targeted and effective approach.
What are the symptoms of a Sciatica?
Sciatica can feel frightening and overwhelming. People often describe symptoms suchs as:
- Sharp, burning, or shooting pain down the back of the leg
- Persistent pain in the lower back or buttock
- Pins and needles or tingling in the leg, calf, or foot
- Numbness along the sciatic nerve pathway
- Weakness in the leg
- Pain that worsens when sitting, bending, or twisting
- Difficulty walking or standing upright
- A feeling of being “stopped in your tracks” by sudden nerve pain
These symptoms often leave people unsure of what’s happening. Many worry whether the pain is coming from a disc, a muscle, or a trapped nerve. The uncertainty alone can cause distress, and the pain itself can interrupt sleep, limit movement, and make day-to-day life extremely difficult.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing / Treating Sciatica?
Many patients come to us after trying exercises at home or receiving strengthening routines through the NHS, only to find their symptoms get worse. This is incredibly common – and completely understandable. Strengthening exercises prescribed too early often irritate the nerve further, creating more inflammation and more pain.
At Body Zest, our approach is very different. We follow a structured, stage-based process:
Stage 1: Calm the nerve
Before anything else, we work to reduce inflammation and ease the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Hands-on treatment, gentle joint mobilisation, soft-tissue work, and nerve-calming strategies are used to settle the flare-up.
At this stage, we avoid anything that loads the nerve too aggressively.
Stage 2: Introduce gentle movement
Once the nerve is less reactive, we gradually introduce movement-based exercises and guided stretches.
These help restore mobility without aggravating symptoms and encourage healing through improved blood flow and controlled motion.
Stage 3: Strengthen safely
Only when symptoms have stabilised and the nerve is no longer inflamed, do we begin strengthening.
This might include work for the core, hips, and gluteal muscles to prevent recurrence.
We provide clear demonstrations, video support, and structured progression so you always know you’re working safely.
This phased approach breaks the cycle many people fall into – starting exercises too soon, getting worse, stopping entirely, and losing confidence. Our method is calmer, safer, and consistently more successful.
Get Your FREE Sciatica Guide
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms truly are sciatica – or if you simply want clear, reliable guidance – download our free Sciatica Report. Inside, you’ll find expert insights, gentle exercises, and early-stage strategies to help you begin easing your pain. When you’re ready for personalised support, our team is here to help you move freely and confidently again.
