Personalized Physical Therapy in Bayside, Queens

Sciatica

Sciatica describes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve — from the lower back, through the buttock, and down one or both legs. It’s not a diagnosis by itself but a set of symptoms caused when the nerve is irritated or compressed somewhere along its route.

People with sciatica often notice difficulty standing up straight, walking comfortably, or sitting for long periods. Movements that bend, twist, cough, or sneeze can make symptoms worse. Everyday tasks like climbing stairs, lifting groceries, getting in and out of a car, or sleeping through the night can become frustrating or limited when pain or numbness gets in the way.

Understanding what sciatica is and why it affects movement helps you make sensible choices about activity, posture, and when to seek medical or rehabilitative care. Knowing the typical patterns of symptoms and what activities tend to aggravate them can reduce fear, prevent unnecessary restrictions, and help you communicate clearly with health professionals about what’s happening.

This page will help you recognize common signs of sciatica, how it may interfere with daily life, and what to watch for so you can take informed next steps toward improving comfort and function.

Common Symptoms

Sciatica refers to pain or altered sensation that follows the path of the sciatic nerve; people experience it in different ways, and not everyone will have the same signs. Below are common symptoms that are often associated with sciatica, but having one or more of these does not mean you have sciatica or that any single treatment is right for you.
Pain radiating from the lower back or buttock down the back of the thigh and into the calf or foot
Sharp, burning, or electric-shock–like pain along the nerve pathway
Numbness or reduced sensation in parts of the leg or foot
Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations in the leg or foot
Weakness in the leg, foot, or toes that may affect walking or standing
Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing, or prolonged sitting
Difficulty finding a comfortable position—lying down may relieve or worsen symptoms depending on the cause
Occasional sharp pain triggered by movement, such as bending or lifting
Changes in reflexes or coordination in the affected leg

Common Causes

Sciatica describes pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, typically from the low back through the buttock and down the leg; it can come from several different problems that irritate or compress the nerve. Below are common causes and contributing factors to consider—some are direct causes, while others increase the likelihood a nerve will become irritated.
Herniated (bulging) lumbar disc: A disc can press on nearby nerve roots, producing sharp, radiating leg pain—this is a frequent cause but not the only one.
Degenerative disc disease and spinal arthritis: Wear-and-tear changes can narrow the space around nerve roots (spinal stenosis) or form bone spurs that irritate nerves.
Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal or foramina can compress nerve roots, especially in older adults; this is a structural cause rather than a single injury.
Piriformis syndrome or muscle tightness: Tightness or spasm in the deep buttock muscles can irritate the sciatic nerve without spinal pathology.
Trauma or direct nerve injury: A fall, motor vehicle crash, or surgical complication can injure or inflame the nerve.
Inflammatory or systemic conditions: Infections, inflammatory diseases, or certain tumors can affect nerve tissues and contribute to sciatica in less common cases.
Risk factors that increase likelihood: Smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and occupations with heavy lifting or prolonged sitting don’t directly cause sciatica in every case but make nerve irritation more likely.

Why Physical Therapy Works

A physical therapist begins by listening to your story—when the sciatica started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your day-to-day activities. They then perform a hands-on and movement-based evaluation to assess posture, how you move (walking, sitting-to-standing, bending), joint mobility, muscle strength and length, core and pelvic control, and nerve mobility. They also look for factors that may contribute to symptoms such as footwear, work or hobby postures, sleep positions, and other medical history that could influence care.

Treatment typically falls into several broad categories. Education and self-management strategies help you modify activities, positions, and ergonomics to reduce provocative stresses. Manual therapy—gentle hands-on techniques—can address joint or soft tissue restrictions and help you move more comfortably. Therapeutic exercise focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, motor control, and endurance in a graduated way so you can return to everyday tasks. Nervous system–focused techniques may be used to improve nerve mobility when appropriate. Pain- and symptom-management tools (such as activity pacing, thermal strategies, or guidance on medications prescribed by your clinician) can be included as part of a plan.

Which approaches are used depends on the individual evaluation and goals; not all options are suitable for every person. A physical therapist works with you to develop a tailored plan, adjusting interventions based on how you respond and coordinating with other healthcare providers when needed.

Our Approach at Atom Physical Therapy

We start with a careful evaluation of your symptoms, how you move, what activities are limited, and the goals that matter to you. This helps us understand whether the pain is coming from the nerve, the low back, the hips, or a combination of factors, and lets us prioritize what needs to change first so you can return to the things you care about.

Based on that evaluation we build an individualized, practical plan. Depending on what your exam shows and what you want to achieve, your plan may include therapeutic exercise to improve strength and endurance, mobility work to restore motion in the spine and hips, and targeted strengthening to support the low back and pelvis. We also teach movement strategies and ergonomics to reduce nerve irritation during everyday tasks and may use hands-on techniques to ease stiffness or reduce pain when appropriate. A clear home program is provided so you can make steady progress between visits.

Progress is tracked through your symptoms, function, and ability to perform daily activities and exercises. If something isn’t helping as expected, we adjust the plan—changing the type, dose, or focus of treatment—to better match your needs. We don’t use every intervention for every person; each element is selected because it fits your exam findings and goals.

What to Expect

During your first sciatica evaluation at Atom Physical Therapy, we’ll spend time listening to your story. Expect questions about your pain—where it starts, where it travels, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects sleep, work, and activities you care about. We’ll review relevant medical history, imaging or doctor notes if you have them, and any past treatments or medications.

Your therapist will perform a movement and functional assessment tailored to your symptoms. This may include observing posture, walking, simple strength and reflex checks, flexibility tests, and specific nerve-sensitive movements. We may ask you to perform everyday tasks that are hard for you so we can see what limits you and why. The exact tests depend on your condition and comfort level; not everyone has the same examination.

After the assessment, your therapist will discuss what they found in plain language, explore your priorities and goals, and outline an individualized plan of care. This plan often includes home exercises, movement strategies, and recommendations for activity modifications. We won’t promise a particular treatment start or a set number of visits—your program will be adjusted as we learn what helps you most.

Relief Starts With the Right Evaluation

Whether your symptoms started recently or have been bothering you for months, the first step is understanding what's causing them. A comprehensive evaluation allows us to assess your movement, identify contributing factors, and develop a treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

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This page provides general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. An individualized evaluation is needed to determine whether physical therapy is appropriate.