Sciatic Nerve Pain – what’s it all about?

The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that originates in the lower back and travels through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg.

Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Constant pain in one side of the buttock or leg (can occur in both legs)

• Pain exacerbated by sitting

• Burning or tingling down the leg

• Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

• A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand or walk

Sciatic pain can vary from infrequent and irritating to constant and incapacitating. Specific sciatica symptoms also vary widely in type, location and severity, depending upon the condition causing the sciatica.

Causes of sciatica

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve with a slipped disc being the most common cause. Additional common causes of sciatica include:

• Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)

• Degenerative disc disease (breakdown of discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae)

• Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)

• Pregnancy

Other things that may make your back pain worse include being overweight, not exercising regularly, wearing high heels, or sleeping on a mattress that is too soft.

If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms then help is at hand. Physiotherapy is a proven treatment for sciatica and our physios are all experienced in diagnosing and treating the condition.

Physio Treatment Costs:

• Initial assessment (45 mins) £83

• Follow-up consultation (30 mins) £59