Summary

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is the longest nerve in the body. When this nerve is inflamed or compressed, it can cause leg pain radiating from the back, weakness, or numbness, known as sciatica. Sciatica affects 1.2% to 43% of people worldwide¹. 

With appropriate management, most people experience improvement without the need for surgery. The White House Clinic provides expert care across 14 locations in South Yorkshire, North East Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

An overview of sciatic nerve pain

The sciatic nerve starts in the lower spine and supplies sensation and movement to the back of the leg and foot. Sciatica occurs when this nerve becomes irritated or compressed, typically due to a slipped disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or a back injury. It can also happen due to changes in pregnancy. 

Sciatica symptoms

Sciatica symptoms usually affect one side of the body, although both sides can be involved in some cases. Common symptoms include:

• Pain that moves from the lower back into the buttocks and down one or both legs
• Sharp, burning or shooting pain in the leg
• Muscle weakness in the affected leg
• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending or coughing
• Foot or leg numbness or tingling 

Causes of sciatica

A trapped nerve in the lower spine is a common cause of sciatica. This may result from a disc bulge, disc herniation, or age-related changes in the spine that reduce the space around the nerve.

Other contributing factors can include prolonged sitting, poor movement patterns, reduced spinal mobility or a sudden increase in physical load. While sciatica can be painful, it does not usually indicate serious damage and often improves with non-invasive treatment.

When to see someone for sciatica

Consider consulting a professional if you have sciatic nerve pain for longer than a few weeks and it gets worse. Or significantly affects walking, work, or sleep.

Physiotherapy can help identify contributing factors to your pain and provide a structured plan to reduce pain and restore movement. At the White House Clinic, you do not need a referral to book an appointment, giving you faster access to treatment.

What to do if you have sciatica

If you have sciatica, you should continue with gentle activity. Complete rest can increase stiffness and prolong recovery.

Activities that involve excessive bending and twisting, such as gardening, may temporarily worsen symptoms. A physiotherapist can guide you on appropriate movement, posture and activity modification to support recovery while protecting the irritated nerve.

Treatment for sciatica and nerve pain

Treatment for sciatica includes physiotherapy, gentle exercise, shockwave therapy and acupuncture.

Physiotherapy

A physiotherapist will assess spinal movement, nerve sensitivity and functional limitations before designing a personalised rehabilitation programme. They’ll provide targeted exercise to improve spinal mobility, strengthen supporting muscles and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Exercises are selected based on your symptoms and progress gradually.

Sports massage 

Sports massage uses deep tissue techniques to release muscle tension in the lower back, piriformis and glutes which can reduce pressure, increase circulation and increase flexibility.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps reduce pain and muscle tension associated with sciatica. It can help manage symptoms during flare-ups and support comfort as rehabilitation progresses. The White House Clinic team uses acupuncture to treat sciatica in Sheffield, Chesterfield, and Doncaster, as well as across our 14 locations.

Who is affected by sciatica?

Sciatica can affect adults of all ages, but is more common in people aged between 30 and 60. It may occur in people with physically demanding jobs, those who sit for long periods or individuals who have experienced previous back problems.

Reducing the risk of sciatica returning

Sciatica is uncomfortable and impacts your daily life. We understand how important it is to prevent the condition from happening after recovery. During physiotherapy sessions, your physiotherapist will help you perfect movement and lifting techniques and provide a tailored strength and mobility plan for the lower back and hips. 

With appropriate management and rehabilitation, most people recover from sciatica and can return to normal activities.

References

• ‍NHS
• ‍NICE

¹ https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/epidemiology-reports/sciatica-epidemiology-forecast