Lumbar radiculopathy

Lumbar radiculopathy happens when a nerve in the lower back is compressed or irritated, sending pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness down into the leg. It's often caused by a disc problem or age-related narrowing, and while the leg symptoms can be alarming, most cases settle without surgery.

Physiotherapy helps by calming the irritated nerve, keeping you moving within comfortable limits, and gradually restoring strength and confidence. In this guide we cover clinical reasoning, red-flag screening, and evidence-based conservative management for lumbar radiculopathy — practical for clinicians and clear enough for patients to understand what's driving their symptoms and what supports recovery.