Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among working adults in Indirapuram, Vaishali and Noida. Long commutes and long hours at a desk put repetitive stress on the spine. When that pain starts radiating down the buttock and leg, it is often sciatica. Knowing when back pain is postural and when it needs clinical rehabilitation is the key to avoiding surgery.
Postural back pain vs sciatica
Postural back pain stays in the lumbar (lower back) muscles: a localised, dull ache triggered by sitting or standing too long. Sciatica, by contrast, occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, is compressed at its root in the lumbar spine. It typically causes:
- Sharp, shooting or burning pain radiating from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of one leg.
- Numbness, tingling or a pins-and-needles sensation in the calf or foot.
- Pain that worsens on coughing, sneezing or sitting down.
What active spinal rehabilitation involves
Our orthopaedic consultants and physiotherapy team prefer active rehabilitation over relying on painkillers alone. A structured programme typically includes:
- McKenzie exercises: specific spinal extension movements that help re-centre a bulging disc and take pressure off the nerve root.
- Core strengthening: targeted exercises for the deep abdominal and lumbar muscles, building a natural corset around the spine.
- Spinal traction: mechanical traction to gently separate the lumbar vertebrae and decompress the disc.
- Pain-relief modalities: interferential therapy (IFT), short-wave diathermy (SWD) and therapeutic ultrasound to settle acute muscle spasm.
Red flags: when to consult a spine specialist urgently
Most back pain and sciatica settles with conservative physiotherapy and posture correction. But some symptoms suggest serious nerve compression and need urgent surgical review:
- Progressive numbness in the groin or inner thighs (saddle anaesthesia).
- Loss of bowel or bladder control (cauda equina syndrome).
- Progressive leg weakness, including foot drop (inability to lift the front of the foot).
In the absence of these red flags, a structured 4-to-6-week physiotherapy plan is usually the most effective route to lasting recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Can a slipped disc heal on its own?
Often, yes. Many herniated discs shrink back (resorb) over time. Physiotherapy speeds this along by reducing muscle guarding and restoring normal spinal alignment.
How long does physiotherapy take for sciatica?
A typical course runs 3 to 6 weeks. Improvement often shows as the pain 'centralising': moving back up the leg towards the spine within the first 10 to 12 sessions.