Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself. It describes pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, typically from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg.
The cause matters, because different causes need different treatment.
Symptoms
- Sharp, burning or electric pain in the buttock or down the leg, usually on one side
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
- Weakness when lifting the foot or pushing off
What can cause it
- Irritation of a nerve root from a disc bulge or disc injury
- Narrowing around the nerve, more common with age
- Deep gluteal or piriformis muscle tension irritating the nerve (sometimes called piriformis syndrome)
- Sacroiliac or lumbar joint irritation referring pain into the leg
Assessment and treatment
We test movement, nerve function, strength and reflexes to work out where the nerve is being irritated. Most people improve with conservative care: gentle joint and soft tissue treatment, directional movement exercises, and guidance on positions and activities that calm the nerve.
If you are not improving, or your neurological signs are worsening, we will refer you for imaging or specialist review.
Staying active
Complete bed rest tends to slow recovery. We aim to find positions and activities you can keep doing, such as walking or modified training, while the nerve settles, and build back to full load in stages.
