Sciatica Physiotherapy in Clapham
Shooting, burning pain down your leg, tingling or numbness that makes sitting, walking or sleeping hard? Sciatica usually improves, and the right physiotherapy can help you recover sooner. Olivia offers thorough, unhurried care at our Clapham clinic.
Understanding Sciatica
As part of our back pain physiotherapy for women, Olivia treats sciatica in Clapham, helping you ease nerve pain, move more freely and get back to everyday life.
What Is Sciatica?
According to the NHS, sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It’s a symptom rather than a diagnosis, so finding the cause is key to treating it.
Sciatica Symptoms
- Sharp, shooting or burning pain in your buttock and down the back of one leg
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in your leg or foot
- Weakness in your leg or foot
- Pain that’s worse when you move, sneeze or cough
- Back pain, although leg pain is often worse
What Causes Sciatica?
The NHS lists a slipped disc as the most common cause, along with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and back injuries. In some cases, tight muscles in the buttock, sometimes called piriformis syndrome, can cause similar symptoms.
How Long Does Sciatica Last?
The NHS says sciatica usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months, but it can last longer or come back. Staying active and doing the right exercises can help you recover.
How Physiotherapy Helps
Physiotherapy is one of the treatments the NHS recommends for sciatica. Depending on your assessment, treatment may include:
- Advice on positions and movements to ease nerve pain
- Gentle nerve mobility exercises
- Strengthening for your back, hips and core
- Hands-on treatment where helpful
- A step-by-step plan to return to work, exercise and sitting comfortably
Easing Sciatica at Home
The NHS recommends:
- Staying as active as possible
- Doing gentle exercises for sciatica
- Using heat packs on the painful area
- Asking a pharmacist about pain relief
Olivia can show you which exercises suit you, as the best ones depend on the cause.
Sciatica in Pregnancy
Pain into the buttock and leg is common in pregnancy, but it often comes from the pelvis or lower back rather than the sciatic nerve itself. Olivia can assess where your pain is coming from. Read more about back pain in pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain.
When to Get Urgent Help
The NHS advises calling 999 or going to A&E if you have back pain or sciatica with:
- Numbness around your bottom or genitals
- Sciatica in both legs, or numbness or weakness in both legs
- Difficulty peeing, or loss of control of your bladder or bowels
These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs emergency treatment.
See a GP if your symptoms aren’t improving after a few weeks, or are getting worse.
Meet Olivia, your Pelvic Floor physio
Chartered Women's Health & MSK Physiotherapist
Olivia Denman
Olivia founded Liv Physio to give women the specialist, unhurried care they deserve, especially those who have felt overlooked by the healthcare system. She is Master’s-qualified, with five years of experience across the NHS and private practice.
She specialises in pelvic floor and urogynaecological conditions, including prolapse, incontinence and pelvic pain, alongside pre- and postnatal care, with advanced training through the POGP. Every appointment is one-to-one, in a safe, judgement-free space where you’ll be truly listened to.
Registered and accredited
Pricing & Appointments
Single Session Initial appointments & follow-ups
A one-to-one, 60-minute appointment with Olivia at our Clapham clinic. Your session includes a thorough assessment, hands-on treatment and a personalised plan, with exercises to continue at home between appointments.
The Clapham Clinic
Inside the clinic
A calm, private space
Liv Physio is ideally situated in the heart of Clapham, London, nestled between the green expanse of Clapham Common and the boutiques of Abbeville Village.
Our clinic at Lion Yard has been designed to feel calm and welcoming from the moment you arrive, with a bright reception, a comfortable waiting area and a private treatment room.
It is a space where you can relax, take your time and talk openly about anything, however personal.
Find us
Clinic location
AddressLiv Physio, 7 Lion Yard, Tremadoc Road, Clapham, London SW4 7NQ
Appointment hoursMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
All visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming to the clinic.
Sciatica FAQs
- What is the best exercise for sciatica?
There isn’t one best exercise for everyone, as it depends on what’s irritating the nerve. Gentle movement and staying active usually help, and Olivia will tailor exercises to your symptoms.
- Should I rest with sciatica?
Short rest is fine if pain is severe, but the NHS advises staying as active as possible, as this usually helps sciatica get better.
- Is sciatica the same as piriformis syndrome?
Not quite. Piriformis syndrome is when a muscle in the buttock irritates the sciatic nerve. It can cause similar symptoms to sciatica from the spine, so an assessment helps work out the cause.
- Can sciatica come back?
Yes, it can. Building strength, staying active and adjusting how you lift and sit can reduce the chance of it returning.
- Do I need a scan for sciatica?
Not usually. Most sciatica improves without a scan. Your GP may refer you for one if symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving.
- Do I need a referral for sciatica physiotherapy?
No, you can book directly with us. Olivia is happy to work alongside your GP or consultant if needed.
What our patients say
What I’ve appreciated most is how comfortable and at ease she makes you feel. She is kind, understanding and non judgemental, which makes talking about things that can sometimes feel quite personal so much easier. She always takes the time to listen and explains everything clearly, and the exercises are tailored to what I feel comfortable with.
I’m really grateful for all her support and would definitely recommend Olivia to anyone looking for postnatal or pelvic floor support.
Free 15-Minute Initial Consultation Call
This complimentary consultation call is your chance to meet Olivia, discuss your goals, and see if she's the right fit for you. You'll learn about her approach, how physiotherapy can help your condition, and what to expect from sessions including treatment options and pricing.
Please note: No physical treatment, diagnosis or clinical assessment is provided during this consultation.
Get in Touch
We are always on hand to help with any queries you may have.
We suggest you use our contact form to get in touch so we can direct your query to the relevant person.
Call Us or WhatsApp Us
To speak to our specialist, please call us on 020 8058 0762
(our lines are open Monday – Sunday 8am to 8pm).
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Care you can trust
Why choose Liv Physio?
Choosing the right specialist makes all the difference. At Liv Physio, you’ll find expert, unhurried care in a calm and private clinic in Clapham, delivered with warmth and a genuine commitment to getting you the results you deserve.
Specialist care: Women’s health is our focus, not an add-on. Every appointment is with a chartered physiotherapist with advanced training in pelvic health.
Time to listen: Unhurried, one-to-one appointments, so we can understand the full picture and you never feel rushed.
A holistic approach: We look beyond your symptoms to the lifestyle, hormonal and day-to-day factors behind them, using evidence-based treatment.
A safe space: A calm, private, judgement-free clinic where you can talk openly about anything, however personal.