Sciatica physiotherapy.
Sciatica, pain, tingling, or weakness radiating from the lower back down one or both legs, is not a diagnosis but a symptom. It can arise from lumbar disc herniation, stenosis, piriformis syndrome, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Effective treatment depends entirely on identifying which of these is driving your symptoms. Motion Theory performs a precise neurodynamic and lumbar assessment to find the specific source and build a program that targets it directly.
Who It's For
Patients with radiating leg pain, buttock pain, numbness, or weakness associated with lumbar spine pathology. Includes both acute disc-related presentations and chronic nerve sensitivity conditions. Applicable under extended health, ICBC if post-MVA, and WorkSafeBC coverage.
What We Assess
We perform a comprehensive lumbar and neurological assessment including straight leg raise, slump testing, neural tension provocation, segmental mobility testing, and disc behavior analysis. Understanding the directional preference of your presentation drives the exercise approach.
Treatment Approach
Treatment combines manual therapy to reduce joint and nerve irritability, directional loading exercises calibrated to your assessment findings, neural mobilization, and progressive lumbar strengthening to build long-term resilience. Education on load management and flare-up prevention is woven through every phase.
Recovery Pathway
Neural Calming
Reduce nerve sensitivity, identify the directional preference of your disc, and establish a safe loading strategy to centralize your symptoms.
Lumbar Loading
Progressive lumbar stabilizer and hip strengthening to reduce disc loading and build long-term resilience.
Full Activity Return
Return to all recreational, occupational, and daily activities with flare-up management strategies for sustained independence.
Clinic Location & Access
Located at 1367 West Broadway in Vancouver, Motion Theory is situated in the Fairview medical corridor, in close proximity to Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). We serve patients from Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and the broader Metro Vancouver area.
Common Questions
Is surgery necessary for sciatica?
The large majority of sciatica cases resolve with structured physiotherapy. Surgery is typically reserved for cases with progressive neurological deficit such as increasing weakness or bladder and bowel dysfunction, or failure to improve after 6 to 12 weeks of appropriate conservative management.
How long does sciatica take to resolve?
Most acute sciatica episodes improve significantly within 6 to 12 weeks of structured rehabilitation. Chronic presentations may take longer but are very responsive to load-based treatment protocols.
Should I avoid all exercise when I have sciatica?
No. Specific directional exercises are often the most effective treatment for disc-related sciatica. Blanket rest consistently produces worse outcomes than carefully prescribed movement.
Related Services
Registered Clinicians
All practitioners are registered with their respective provincial colleges in British Columbia.
Evidence-Based
Treatment protocols are grounded in current peer-reviewed literature and clinical guidelines.
Direct Billing
Available for ICBC claims and most major extended health benefit providers.