Sciatica Treatment: Symptoms, Causes & Care

What Is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is formed from nerve roots that leave the lower part of the spine and join together before travelling through the buttock and into the leg.

When one of these nerve roots becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms can be felt along the pathway into the buttock and leg.

Sciatica most commonly affects one side, although symptoms can occasionally occur in both legs.

Typical symptoms may include:

• Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg
• Burning, shooting or electric-shock type pain
• Tingling or pins and needles
• Numbness
• Weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain aggravated by sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing

Looking for local help with sciatica? Find out more about sciatica treatment in Milton Keynes, sciatica treatment in Northampton or sciatica treatment in Aylesbury.

Is All Pain in the Buttock or Leg Sciatica?

No. One of the most common misconceptions about sciatica is that any pain in the lower back, buttock or leg is sciatica.

There are several different ways pain can spread from the lower back, and distinguishing between them is an important part of your assessment.

True Sciatica

Sciatica usually refers to symptoms caused by irritation or compression of one of the nerve roots that eventually contribute to the sciatic nerve.

The key distinction is that symptoms usually travel into the leg rather than remaining confined to the lower back or buttock. They may extend below the knee into the calf, foot or toes and can include pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.

A disc herniation is one possible cause, but narrowing around a spinal nerve, including spinal stenosis, can also produce sciatic symptoms.

Referred Pain Into the Buttock or Leg

Pain can also be referred from structures in the lower back or pelvis without a spinal nerve root being compressed or irritated.

For example, problems involving the joints, muscles or other tissues of the lower back and pelvis can sometimes produce pain in the buttock, hip or thigh.

This can feel as though the pain is travelling down the leg, which is why people sometimes describe it as sciatica. However, referred pain and true sciatica are not the same thing.

Back Pain That Spreads Into the Buttock

Another common presentation is lower back pain that spreads into one or both buttocks but does not continue significantly down the leg.

Patients sometimes call this sciatica too. In many cases, however, the pain is being referred from structures in the lower back or pelvis rather than coming from irritation of the sciatic nerve or a spinal nerve root.

Why Does the Difference Matter?

Two people may both describe their problem as “sciatica” while actually having quite different conditions.

One may have a disc problem irritating a spinal nerve, another may have referred pain from the lower back, and another may have a problem arising from the sacroiliac joint, hip or surrounding muscles.

The appropriate treatment depends on what appears to be producing the symptoms.

That is why we do not assume that someone has sciatica simply because they have pain in their back, buttock or leg.

What Can Cause True Sciatica?

Sciatica most commonly occurs when one of the nerve roots in the lower spine becomes irritated or compressed.

Possible causes include:

• A disc bulge or disc herniation affecting a spinal nerve
• Inflammation around a spinal nerve root
• Spinal stenosis, where the space available for the nerves becomes narrowed
• Degenerative changes that narrow the openings through which the spinal nerves leave the spine
• Less commonly, irritation of the sciatic nerve further along its course

Finding a disc bulge or other change on a scan does not automatically prove that it is causing the symptoms. Imaging findings need to be considered alongside the history and examination.

Find out more about disc injuries and herniated discs →

How Do We Assess Sciatica?

We Listen to Your Symptoms

We will ask where the pain travels, whether you have numbness or tingling, what makes the symptoms better or worse and how the problem is affecting your everyday activities.

We Examine Your Back and Nervous System

Your examination may include checking movement, muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and nerve tension, depending on your symptoms.

We Explain What We Find

We will explain whether your symptoms appear consistent with sciatica and what may be contributing to the problem.

We Discuss the Next Step

If chiropractic treatment is appropriate, we will explain the options available. If your symptoms suggest that further investigation or another healthcare professional would be more appropriate, we will advise you.

You can read more about how chiropractors assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems.

Can Chiropractic Care Help With Sciatica?

Some people with sciatica may benefit from a programme of conservative care, depending on the cause, severity and duration of their symptoms.

At Isis Chiropractic Centres, treatment is tailored to the individual and may include:

• Advice about remaining active and modifying activities that aggravate symptoms
• Appropriate manual therapy, mobilisation or soft-tissue techniques
• Exercises to improve movement, strength and confidence
• Rehabilitation to support a gradual return to normal activities
• Further investigation or referral when clinically indicated

Manual therapy is considered as part of a broader management programme rather than as a stand-alone solution.

In selected cases, additional treatments available at Isis, including IDD Therapy, may be discussed. We explain the available evidence, potential benefits and limitations before recommending treatment.

Where appropriate, treatment may be combined with rehabilitation exercise to improve strength, movement and confidence.

Our aim is to help you understand your condition, manage symptoms and return to your usual activities as safely and confidently as possible.

Is Sciatica Always Caused by a Slipped Disc?

No. A disc problem is one possible cause of sciatica, but it is not the only one.

The term “slipped disc” can also be misleading because discs do not literally slip out of place.

A disc can bulge or herniate, and in some cases this can irritate a nearby nerve and cause leg symptoms.

However, many people have disc changes on scans without experiencing sciatica, so imaging findings need to be considered alongside the person’s symptoms and examination.

Find out more about disc injuries →

Do I Need an MRI or X-Ray for Sciatica?

Not everyone with sciatica needs imaging.

In many cases, the history and physical examination provide enough information to begin appropriate management.

Imaging is not routinely recommended for uncomplicated sciatica. It may be considered where there are warning signs of serious disease, significant or progressive neurological problems, or where the findings are likely to change management.

Although all three Isis Chiropractic Centres have on-site X-ray facilities, X-rays do not show disc herniations or nerve-root compression directly and are not routinely required for uncomplicated sciatica.

Where imaging is clinically indicated, particularly if it is likely to change management, we can advise on appropriate referral for MRI or other investigations.

Should I Keep Moving With Sciatica?

For many people with uncomplicated sciatica, completely avoiding movement is not usually helpful.

Some activities may need to be modified temporarily, especially if they significantly aggravate the leg pain, but gradual movement and activity are generally encouraged as symptoms allow.

We will advise you about which movements and exercises are appropriate for your individual problem.

You may also find our back care and exercise advice helpful.

How Long Does Sciatica Take to Improve?

Recovery varies from person to person.

Some episodes settle relatively quickly, while others can take longer, particularly where there is significant nerve irritation or weakness.

The severity of the symptoms, the underlying cause, previous episodes and how the problem responds to treatment can all influence recovery.

We will review your progress and modify the treatment plan where necessary.

When Should Sciatica Be Assessed Urgently?

Most episodes of sciatica are not medical emergencies. However, certain symptoms can indicate serious pressure on the nerves and require immediate medical assessment.

Go to A&E immediately if you develop:

• New numbness or altered sensation around the genitals, anus or inner thighs
• New difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder sensation or loss of bladder or bowel control
• New or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs
• New severe symptoms affecting both legs, particularly when accompanied by numbness or weakness

These symptoms may indicate cauda equina syndrome or another serious neurological condition.

New or worsening leg weakness without these emergency features also warrants prompt medical assessment. Back or leg pain accompanied by fever, feeling seriously unwell or other concerning systemic symptoms should be assessed urgently.

Do not wait for a routine chiropractic appointment if you develop any of these warning signs.

Sciatica and Lower Back Pain

Sciatica can occur with or without significant lower back pain.

Some people mainly notice pain in the buttock or leg, while others have both back and leg symptoms.

If lower back pain is an important part of your symptoms, you can also read our Back Pain Treatment page.

Other Conditions That Can Cause Similar Symptoms

Pain in the back, buttock or leg is not always caused by sciatica. Other musculoskeletal problems can produce referred pain or symptoms that may initially feel similar.

• Disc Injuries
• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome
• Back Pain

Sciatica Treatment Near You

Looking for help with sciatica or pain travelling into the leg? Isis Chiropractic Centres provides assessment and treatment for sciatica at our clinics in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury.

Sciatica Treatment in Milton Keynes

Our Milton Keynes clinic provides assessment and treatment for sciatica and related back and leg pain, with on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Sciatica treatment in Milton Keynes →

Sciatica Treatment in Northampton

Our Northampton clinic provides assessment and treatment for sciatica and related back and leg pain, with on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.

Sciatica treatment in Northampton →

Sciatica Treatment in Aylesbury

Our Aylesbury clinic provides assessment and treatment for sciatica and related back and leg pain, with on-site X-ray facilities and free patient parking.

Sciatica treatment in Aylesbury →

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

What does sciatica feel like?

Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels into the buttock or leg. It may feel sharp, burning, shooting or electric and can sometimes be accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness.

Can sciatica affect the foot?

Yes. Depending on which nerve is irritated, symptoms can extend into the lower leg, ankle, foot or toes.

Can sciatica cause numbness or weakness?

Yes. Sciatica can sometimes cause numbness, tingling or weakness as well as pain. Significant or increasing weakness should be assessed promptly.

Do I need to see my GP before seeing a chiropractor?

You can normally book directly with a chiropractor.

If your history or examination suggests that you need medical assessment, imaging or referral to another healthcare professional, we will explain this to you.

Will I need treatment if the pain starts improving?

Not necessarily. The appropriate approach depends on the cause, severity and progression of your symptoms.

Our role is to assess the problem, explain what we find and advise you on the most appropriate next step rather than assume that everyone requires the same treatment programme.

Start by Understanding What Is Causing Your Leg Pain

You do not need to know whether your symptoms are coming from a disc, joint or nerve before you book.

That is what the assessment is for.

Our chiropractors in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury will assess your symptoms, explain what we find and discuss the treatment or investigation options that may be appropriate for you.