Chronic Sciatica Finally Fixed:
Rachael's
Physiotherapy Story
The Problem
Rachael came to One Body LDN with severe, chronic sciatica and lower back pain that had been diagnosed years earlier and had progressively worsened over several months, becoming significantly worse during lockdown. The pain was constant, affecting both her work and her training, and had trapped her in a frustrating cycle: she knew getting stronger would help her condition, but the pain and weakness prevented her from training properly. She had tried self-medicating, yoga stretches, and generic resistance-band exercises, but none of it was targeted to her specific condition.
Why She Chose One Body LDN
Rachael had previously attended sessions with another provider that only treated the immediate symptoms of her sciatica. She was searching for a local, specialist solution rather than another short-term fix. What set One Body LDN apart, in her words, was that "everything was addressed — the training programme I was following, the way I was training and how I progressed over several months," rather than treating the injury in isolation.
The Assessment & Diagnosis
Our specialist therapist and co-founder Kurt Johnson took a holistic view of Rachael's sciatica, looking beyond the immediate symptoms to assess her training habits, work-related stress, and movement patterns as contributing and compounding factors. This whole-person assessment identified not just the source of her pain, but the underlying training and lifestyle factors that were preventing long-term recovery.
The Treatment Plan
- Hands-on physiotherapy treatment targeting Rachael's sciatica and lower back
- A bespoke, progressive strength and stability programme built specifically around her condition
- Guidance on modifying her training approach to build strength without aggravating symptoms
- Adjustments to her work–life balance and movement habits to reduce recurring flare-ups
- A long-term home exercise plan focused on spinal stability and self- management, rather than short-term symptom relief
The Result
Rachael made a full recovery from a chronic condition that had persisted for years, describing her life now as "very different."
She has changed how she approaches training and work–life balance, gained a much deeper understanding of how her body responds to stress, and can now independently maintain the stability needed to keep her sciatica managed long-term. She rates her experience as a 100% recommendation.
Watch Rachael's Story
Read Rachael's full testimonial transcript
I was looking to address a severe, chronic problem with sciatica and my lower back. It had been persistent and had become much worse over the previous few months. I wanted a long-term solution because it was really affecting my work and, in particular, my training.
During lockdown, things became much worse on both fronts. I reached the point where I was in constant pain and needed to get a grip on it and find an effective way to treat it.
The most frustrating part was constantly trying to manage the pain and self-medicate while also wanting to train and become stronger, because I knew that would help address the problem.
At the same time, the pain, discomfort and weakness meant that I could not train properly.
I was stuck in a frustrating loop: trying to improve my training while being held back by the pain and discomfort.
I started searching online and asked a few people about local services. I wanted something specifically suited to sciatica, which had been diagnosed years earlier.
I was looking for somewhere local that could provide the particular solution I needed.
I had attended a couple of sessions with another company a few years earlier. They treated the immediate symptoms of the sciatica, but what was different about this experience was that everything was addressed — the training programme I was following, the way I was training and how I progressed over several months.
Rather than only trying to solve the immediate problem, we looked at how I could manage the condition myself and help prevent it from recurring in the future.
It felt like a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix.
I had tried other services when the problem was particularly bad. I had also tried yoga stretches and some resistance-band exercises, but none of it was targeted or specific.
I was effectively making it up myself.
The attention to detail and the holistic approach were amazing. The treatment focused not only on my immediate injury or condition, but also on how I was training and my working situation.
All of those factors had an impact and a knock-on effect on how my recovery developed over the months I was receiving treatment.
Life is very different now. I have completely changed how I approach training and my work–life balance.
I also have a much better understanding of how my body functions under certain forms of stress.
With the bespoke exercises Kurt gave me, I can now focus on maintaining the stability I need, particularly in relation to my sciatica.
I have a much deeper understanding of my condition.
I would definitely recommend One Body LDN — 100%. It has genuinely transformed something that had been a chronic, ongoing problem, and I now have a completely different outlook on life because of it.
Related Treatment
If you're dealing with sciatica or chronic lower back pain like Rachael was, our specialist team can help you find a long-term solution rather than short-term symptom relief. Learn more about our sciatica and back pain treatment in London.