Calm sciatica and get moving again.

Sciatica is pain, tingling or numbness that travels from the low back into the leg. Physical therapy helps calm the nerve and get you moving again.

Three steps, with your doctor in the loop.

Common questions.

• Can physical therapy help sciatica?

  It can, for many people. A physical therapist looks at how your back and legs move, then builds a plan of movement strategies to ease leg symptoms, nerve mobility, core and hip strength, and sitting tolerance. If anything points to a medical cause, we coordinate with your physician.

• Should I rest or keep moving with sciatica?

  It depends on you, so there's no one-size answer. Your physical therapist screens you first, then guides which activity is safe and how to progress it. If you have new numbness in the groin area, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe weakness, seek emergency care.

• Are visits in-home or virtual?

  Both. In San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties, care combines in-home and virtual visits; everywhere else in California, visits are by secure video. Your physical therapist decides the mix at your initial evaluation, and virtual visits keep your care continuous between in-home visits.

• Do I need a prescription or referral to start physical therapy?

  No. In California you can start physical therapy without a referral. We coordinate with your physician on your care plan, and if you're on Medicare, we get your physician's sign-off on the plan of care as Medicare requires.

Also have a heart condition? See Cardiac Functional Recovery →

See whether this program is right for you.