Sciatica

If you’ve got pain shooting down your leg, you’re probably wondering what’s caused it, whether it’s serious and, most importantly, how to get rid of it.

Sciatica can range from a mild annoyance to something that makes sitting, walking, driving or even sleeping difficult. It can affect your work, your hobbies and your confidence in moving normally. The good news is that, for most people, sciatica improves with time, the right advice and an appropriate treatment plan.

At The Bath Practice in Bath, Rosie believes good treatment starts with understanding what’s really causing your symptoms. Rather than simply treating where it hurts, she’ll carry out a thorough assessment to identify the source of the problem and work with you to create an individual treatment plan that supports your recovery and helps you get back to doing the things you enjoy.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica isn’t actually a condition in itself. It’s the name given to pain caused by irritation or sensitivity of the sciatic nerve, or one of the nerve roots that eventually forms it.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back, passes through the buttock and travels down the back of each leg, branching into the foot.

When the nerve becomes irritated, pain can be felt anywhere along its course.

Some people experience a dull ache in the buttock. Others describe sharp, burning or electric shock-like pain that shoots down the leg. You may also notice tingling, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in part of the leg or foot.

Symptoms vary considerably from person to person, which is one reason why a proper assessment is so important.

Why has my sciatica started now?

One of the questions we hear most often is:

“I only bent over to pick up a sock… how has that caused this?”

In reality, it’s rarely that one movement alone. More often, that final movement is simply the straw that breaks the camel’s back after weeks or months of several contributing factors.

These may include:

• Spending long periods sitting at work
• Reduced physical activity
• Repetitive lifting
• Previous episodes of back pain
• Changes in training or exercise
• Poor sleep
• Increased stress
• Natural age-related changes within the spine

Understanding these factors helps us treat more than just today’s pain – it helps reduce the likelihood of the problem returning.

What causes sciatica?

There isn’t one single cause of sciatica. Common causes include:

Lumbar disc irritation

The discs between the bones of your spine act as cushions. Occasionally a disc can irritate a nearby nerve root, leading to symptoms further down the leg.

Age-related spinal changes

As we get older, joints, discs and ligaments naturally change. These changes don’t always cause pain, but in some people they can contribute to irritation around the nerves.

Muscle tension

Tight muscles around the pelvis or buttock may contribute to symptoms in some people.

Pregnancy

Changes in posture, body weight and joint mobility during pregnancy can increase strain through the lower back and pelvis, occasionally leading to sciatic-type symptoms.

Prolonged sitting

Many people notice symptoms become worse after sitting for long periods, particularly when driving or working at a desk.

Is it definitely sciatica?

Not necessarily. Many conditions can produce pain that travels into the leg. Hip problems, muscle injuries, referred pain from the lower back and other nerve conditions can sometimes feel remarkably similar.

That’s why Rosie doesn’t jump straight into treatment. Instead, she begins by listening carefully to your symptoms before carrying out a detailed assessment to understand exactly where your pain is coming from.

A correct diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment.

Why a proper assessment matters

Your first appointment is about much more than simply finding where it hurts. Rosie will ask about:

• When your symptoms began
• What makes them better or worse
• Where the pain travels
• Any numbness or weakness
• Previous injuries
• Your work and hobbies
• Your medical history
• Your goals for recovery

This is followed by a physical examination, which may include assessing your posture, spinal movement, hip mobility, muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and walking pattern.

Once the assessment is complete, Rosie will explain her findings in clear, straightforward language and discuss whether osteopathic treatment is likely to help. If another healthcare professional would be more appropriate, she’ll tell you that too.

How can osteopathy help?

Every person experiences sciatica differently, so treatment is always tailored to the individual. Depending on your presentation, treatment may include:

• Gentle joint mobilisation
• Soft tissue massage
• Stretching techniques
• Hands-on treatment where appropriate
• Advice on posture and movement
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Guidance on returning to normal activities

If suitable, spinal manipulation may also be considered, although this is never used routinely and will only be performed with your informed consent.

Hands-on treatment is only one part of your recovery. Just as important is understanding what’s happening, why it’s happened and what you can do yourself to help your symptoms settle.

What can you do at home?

One of the biggest misconceptions about sciatica is that you should stay in bed until it improves. For most people, prolonged rest actually slows recovery.

Although you may need to modify some activities temporarily, gentle movement is usually helpful. Depending on your symptoms, Rosie may recommend:

• Short, regular walks
• Gentle mobility exercises
• Gradually increasing activity levels
• Changing sitting positions regularly
• Heat to ease muscle tension
• Specific strengthening exercises

Recovery isn’t about avoiding movement – it’s about finding the right amount of movement for your stage of recovery.

How long does sciatica take to improve?

There’s no single answer because everyone’s symptoms are different. Many people notice improvement over several weeks, while others take longer depending on the underlying cause, how long symptoms have been present and their overall health.

Some patients feel better after only a few appointments, while others benefit from a longer course of treatment combined with rehabilitation exercises.

Rather than working to a fixed number of sessions, Rosie regularly reviews your progress and adapts your treatment plan as your symptoms change.

Can sciatica be prevented?

Although not every episode can be prevented, there are things that may reduce the likelihood of it returning:

• Staying physically active
• Building strength through the trunk and hips
• Avoiding prolonged periods of sitting
• Gradually increasing exercise rather than doing too much too soon
• Addressing minor aches before they become larger problems
• Maintaining good general health, including sleep and stress management

Recovery isn’t just about getting out of pain – it’s about helping you stay well afterwards.

When should I seek urgent medical advice?

While most cases of sciatica improve without serious complications, some symptoms require immediate medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness around the buttocks or groin
• Rapidly worsening weakness in your leg
• Severe pain after significant trauma
• Fever, unexplained weight loss or feeling generally unwell with back pain

These symptoms are uncommon but should always be assessed promptly.

Why choose Rosie?

Rosie believes the best treatment starts with listening. Before beginning any hands-on treatment, she’ll take the time to understand how your symptoms affect your daily life and what you want to achieve.

Whether your goal is getting back to running, returning to work comfortably, lifting your children without pain or simply enjoying a good night’s sleep again, your treatment plan will be tailored to you.

Patients often comment on her friendly, compassionate approach and the time she spends explaining what’s happening in a way that’s easy to understand.

Our aim isn’t simply to reduce your pain today – it’s to help you understand your body, improve the way you move and give you the confidence to return to the activities that matter most.

Book your sciatica assessment in Bath

Living with sciatica can be exhausting, especially when it’s affecting your sleep, work or ability to enjoy everyday life.

If you’re struggling with pain travelling down your leg, Rosie would be happy to assess your symptoms, explain what’s happening and discuss the treatment options available.

Even if osteopathic treatment isn’t the most appropriate choice for you, she’ll advise you on the next best steps, so you can move forward with confidence.

Book online or call us on 01225 427835.

Frequently Asked Questions