Sciatica
Initial eval $150
Follow up $120
60 min each
Sciatica is not a diagnosis by itself — it's a pattern of symptoms caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the low back through the buttock and down the leg. People often describe shooting, burning, or aching pain in the buttock and leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling, or weakness.
That pain can make sitting, driving, walking, and sleeping difficult, and it can be hard to tell what is causing it without an evaluation, because several different problems can produce leg pain that feels like sciatica.
What can cause sciatica-like pain?
Common causes include irritation from a disc problem in the low back, myofascial restrictions in the posterior chain of the body, tight muscles in the buttock, spinal narrowing, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction — see below. Your history, movement, and examination help guide what treatment approach fits, and whether you need to discuss imaging or other medical care with your physician.
**If you have progressive leg weakness, numbness in the saddle area, changes in bowel or bladder function, fever, unexplained weight loss, or leg pain after a significant fall or accident, seek prompt medical care.**
How physical therapy at Integral can help
Your first visit is an initial evaluation, including a thorough medical history review and a complete biomechanical assessment of your problem area, to guide a personalized treatment plan with measurable goals.
Treatment may include manual therapy and soft tissue techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, personalized exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and movement patterns, and education on posture, sitting, lifting, and daily activities to reduce flare-ups.
Our goal is to mitigate pain, normalize movement patterns, and maximize function, and to help you understand what movements help and what movements aggravate your symptoms.
Sacroiliac dysfunction — a common sciatica mimic
The sacroiliac, or SI, joints connect your spine to your pelvis. When an SI joint is not moving or stabilizing well — often called sacroiliac dysfunction — it can cause pain in the low back, buttock, groin, and sometimes down the leg. That pattern can look a lot like sciatica, even though the nerve itself may not be the main problem.
That distinction matters, because treatment for SI dysfunction often focuses on different manual therapy techniques, movement, and stability exercises than treatment for a disc-related nerve irritation. An evaluation helps clarify whether your leg pain is more consistent with sciatica, SI dysfunction, or a combination, and what plan fits that pattern.
If you have been told you have sciatica but treatment focused only on the nerve has not helped, ask about SI joint assessment at your evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
How many visits will I need?
That depends on your evaluation, your goals, and how you respond. There is no fixed number that fits everyone.
Do I need an MRI or surgery?
Not necessarily. Many people are managed with conservative care first. Your therapist and physician can discuss whether imaging or a surgical consultation is appropriate for your situation, especially if symptoms are progressive or not improving.
Do I need a referral?
All insurance clients need a physical therapy referral. In Oklahoma, a physical therapy referral can be written by an allopathic physician (MD), osteopathic physician (DO), physician assistant (PA), advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), dentist (DDS/DMD), chiropractor (DC), or podiatrist (DPM). Under the Oklahoma Physical Therapy Practice Act, these referrals must align with the provider's specific area of training and practice.
If I only want dry needling for my leg pain?
Dry needling is not covered by insurance, and it's why dry needling is not listed on our Physiotherapy or Back Pain pages. At Integral, dry needling is offered only as part of a Wellness visits, which are for minor tune-ups that do not require a full course of physiotherapy.
If you only want dry needling, start here:
Find out more about Dry Needling
The listed costs for the 60-minute physical therapy visits are the out-of-pocket/self-pay rates, like if you have a deductible to meet. Your specific insurance policy benefits will determine what your payment responsibility is, this will be verified before starting therapy.
This page provides general information about sciatica, back pain, and physical therapy. It is not medical advice and does not replace an evaluation by a qualified clinician.
