Sciatica Physical Therapy in Durham, NC

Pain that shoots down your leg can be scary. It's easy to feel like something is badly damaged. Most of the time, it isn't. Sciatica is usually an irritated nerve, and irritated nerves can calm down.

Dr. Daniel Howard, PT, DPT, is a Duke-trained Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in the spine and chronic pain. He'll spend a full hour finding out what's irritating the nerve, then help you move, sleep and live with less pain while it settles.

Your first evaluation is free. Book your free evaluation

Sciatica and nerve pain we help with

  • Pain, burning or tingling from the low back or buttock down the leg
  • Sciatica from a herniated or bulging disc
  • Leg pain that's worse with sitting, bending or driving
  • Deep glute pain that may or may not travel down the leg
  • Nerve pain that keeps coming back every few months
  • Getting back to running, lifting, golf or work after a flare

What sciatica is, and what it isn't

"Sciatica" describes a symptom, not a diagnosis: pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve. Often a nearby disc or joint is irritating the nerve root, and the nerve becomes sensitive to stretch and pressure.

Here's the hopeful part. Disc bulges and herniations often shrink on their own over time, and many people with sciatica improve without surgery. Your nerve isn't fragile; it's sensitive right now. Our job is to calm it down and then build your capacity back up.

How we treat sciatica

Every plan is built around you and typically blends:

  • A thorough assessment of how you move, how the nerve responds, and what eases or aggravates your symptoms
  • Clear education on what's happening, so pain stops feeling like a threat
  • Positions and movements that calm the nerve, so you can sleep and sit more comfortably
  • Hands-on manual therapy when it helps
  • Progressive strength training for your back, hips and legs, so flares come less often
  • A home program you understand, with a plan for what to do if symptoms return

Why patients choose Equipt For Life

  • A spine and chronic pain specialist, not a generalist
  • Full 60-minute, one-on-one visits with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, every time
  • A private clinic in Durham with its own gym, sauna, and cold plunge
  • Transparent self-pay pricing; HSA and FSA cards accepted
  • Early-morning and after-work appointments, Monday through Friday

"Daniel was so wonderful to work with when I completely wrecked my back. I felt like he really knew where I was coming from." - Alice T.

When to get checked right away

Most sciatica is not dangerous. See a doctor or go to urgent care right away if you notice numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, weakness in your leg or foot that's getting worse, or sciatica with fever or unexplained weight loss.

Related care at Equipt For Life

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an MRI for sciatica? Usually not at first. Many people improve without imaging, and scans often show disc changes in people without pain. If your symptoms or exam suggest you need one, we'll tell you and help you get to the right doctor.

Will I need surgery? Most people with sciatica don't. Surgery can be the right choice in some cases, but many people improve with time, education and the right exercise. We'll help you know which situation you're in.

Should I rest until it goes away? Short rests during a bad flare are fine, but long bed rest usually doesn't help. Gentle, regular movement tends to help nerves settle faster. We'll find the movements your body tolerates now.

Do you take insurance? Equipt For Life is a private-pay practice. You can pay with credit/debit, HSA, or FSA. See our policies for details.

Ready to move from lingering pain to longevity?

Your nerve is sensitive, not broken. Let's calm it down and get you back to your life.

Book your free evaluation or call (617) 943-7778.