Assessment-led remedial massage and soft tissue therapy for nerve-related pain

Nerve pain feels different from muscle pain.

It’s often described as sharp, burning, tingling, electric, or radiating, and it can travel well beyond the original area of irritation.
For many people, nerve pain is not caused by damage to the nerve itself, but by how the surrounding tissues and joints are loading and irritating the nervous system.

At K-Flow Therapy, nerve pain is approached by understanding why the nerve is being sensitised, not just chasing the symptoms.

Common Nerve Pain Patterns I See in Clinic

Nerve-related symptoms may include:

• Sciatica pain travelling from the lower back into the glute, thigh, or calf

• Tingling, pins and needles, or burning sensations

• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or certain movements

• Symptoms that fluctuate depending on posture or activity

• A feeling of tightness or “pulling” along the nerve pathway

In many cases, the nerve is reacting to its environment rather than being the primary problem.

Why Nerve Pain Is Often More Complex

Nerves are sensitive structures.

They don’t respond well to constant compression, tension, or irritation, especially when combined with fatigue, stress, or reduced movement variability.

Common contributing factors include:

• Restricted movement through the spine or hips

• Tight or overactive surrounding muscles

• Reduced sliding and gliding of tissues around the nerve

• Prolonged sitting or sustained postures

• Increased nervous system sensitivity after repeated flare-ups

When these factors persist, nerve symptoms can linger even after the original trigger has settled.

How Sciatica & Nerve Pain Is Assessed at K-Flow Therapy

Assessment focuses on understanding how the nerve is being influenced.

This may include:

• Identifying when symptoms appear and what eases them

• Observing movements or postures that aggravate nerve pain

• Assessing areas of restriction or excessive tension

• Looking at how the spine, hips, and lower body interact

This helps determine whether treatment should focus more on reducing compression, improving movement, or calming sensitivity.

Treatment Approach for Sciatica & Nerve Pain

Treatment is always guided by assessment and symptom response.

Depending on your presentation, sessions may include:

• Remedial massage to reduce excessive muscle tone around sensitive areas

• Soft tissue techniques to improve tissue mobility and reduce irritation

• Dry needling, where appropriate, to help decrease local overactivity and sensitivity

The aim is not to stretch or force the nerve, but to improve the environment around it so symptoms can settle more comfortably.

Movement, Load, and Nerve Sensitivity

With nerve pain, how and when you move matters.

Where appropriate, I may also provide:

• Gentle movement or positional advice

• Guidance around sitting, work setup, and daily habits

• Advice on managing flare-ups without completely avoiding movement

These strategies are kept conservative and realistic, especially when nerve sensitivity is high.

When Nerve Pain Requires Medical Review

While many nerve-related symptoms respond well to conservative care, urgent medical review is required if you experience:

• Progressive weakness

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Severe numbness or worsening neurological symptoms

In these cases, referral to a medical professional is essential.

Not Sure If Your Symptoms Are Nerve-Related?

That’s very common.

Sciatica and nerve pain often overlap with back pain, hip tightness, or postural issues.
An initial consultation allows us to assess what’s contributing to your symptoms and choose the most appropriate approach.