09/12/2025
Case Study 2 Physiotherapy
Understanding Wallet Sciatica Through a Physiotherapist’s Perspective
Wallet sciatica is a commonly overlooked cause of buttock and leg pain. Sitting on a thick wallet can create uneven pelvic positioning, compress the piriformis muscle, and irritate the sciatic nerve. Over time, this may lead to deep buttock pain, tingling, numbness, or shooting discomfort down the leg. From a physiotherapist’s perspective, addressing wallet sciatica starts with correcting daily habits and restoring balanced movement.
Physiotherapy Management Focus:
• Ergonomic correction by removing the wallet before sitting, maintaining level hips, using firm seating, and adjusting car seats to reduce pelvic stress.
• Movement awareness through avoiding prolonged sitting and encouraging regular posture breaks every 45 to 60 minutes.
• Piriformis and gluteal flexibility using targeted stretching to reduce muscle tension around the sciatic nerve.
• Neural mobility through controlled sciatic nerve gliding to reduce nerve sensitivity without overstretching.
• Hip, core, and pelvic stability training to improve load distribution and prevent recurrent symptoms.
Wallet sciatica is often one of the most preventable causes of sciatic pain. With simple ergonomic changes, appropriate exercises, and consistent physiotherapy guidance, many individuals experience significant relief and return to comfortable, pain free daily activities. Through a physiotherapist’s eye, the goal is not just symptom relief but long term postural balance and spinal resilience.