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Sciatica

Check if you have sciatica

If you have sciatica, your:

  • bottom
  • back of your leg
  • foot and toes

may feel:

  • painful – the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
  • tingling – like pins and needles
  • numb
  • weak

Your symptoms may be worse when moving, sneezing or coughing.

You may also have back pain, but it's not usually as bad as the pain in your bottom, leg or foot.

You probably do not have sciatica if you only have back pain.

How you can ease the pain yourself

Sciatica usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes last longer.

To help relieve your pain and speed up recovery:

  • carry on with your normal activities as much as possible

  • regular exercises for sciatica

  • start gentle exercise as soon as you can – anything that gets you moving can help

  • hold heat packs to the painful areas – you can buy these from pharmacies

  • ask your pharmacist about painkillers (paracetamol is unlikely to help and it's not clear how much NSAIDs help with sciatica)

  • put a small, firm cushion between your knees when sleeping on your side, or several firm pillows underneath your knees when lying on your back

  • do not sit or lie down for long periods – even if moving hurts, it's not harmful and can help you get better faster

  • do not use hot water bottles to ease the pain – you could scald yourself if your skin is numb

Treatments from a GP

If you have sciatica, a GP may:

  • suggest exercises and stretches
  • prescribe painkillers

They might also refer you for:

  • physiotherapy – including exercise advice and techniques like massage (manual therapy)
  • psychological support – to help you cope with the pain

Physiotherapy is free of charge on the NHS throughout the UK, but waiting times can be long. You can also get it privately.

If your pain is severe and treatments from a GP have not helped, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for:

  • painkilling injections
  • a procedure to seal off some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals
  • surgery – an operation called decompression surgery can sometimes help relieve sciatica

Causes of sciatica

Sciatica happens when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve.

Causes include:

  • a slipped disc (the most common cause) – when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out
  • spinal stenosis – narrowing of the part of your spine where nerves pass through
  • spondylolisthesis – when one of the bones in your spine slips out of position
  • a back injury

Symptoms of sciatica include shooting pain that starts in your lower back or bottom and runs down the back of your leg, often to your foot and toes.

Common treatments for sciatica include exercises and stretches. Other treatments like injections or surgery may help if it does not get better.

You get sciatica when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve. The most common cause is a slipped disc in your spine.

Related links

Sciatica

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2,798 public posts

SCIATICA

I had sciatica after taking ciprofolxacin, took different pain killers which didn't help ,to bung me up , my son in law recommended a physiotherapist to me, it cost £70 for 2 half hour sessions but it cured my problem, i did try to get a NHS physio but it was going to be weeks before i could get an
I had sciatica after taking ciprofolxacin, took different pain killers which didn't help ,to bung me up , my son in law recommended a physiotherapist to me, it cost £70 for 2 half hour sessions but it cured my problem, i did try to get a NHS physio but it was going to be weeks before i could get an
whit profile image
whit
in Arthritis Action
3 months ago

Sciatica

I phoned a GP who says it’s sciatica, a pinched nerve, and advised the cause could be unrelated or it could be the endo and that the shock of the pain has caused the vomiting. Just wondering if anyone else gets this and if the pain is only going to continue to get worse?
I phoned a GP who says it’s sciatica, a pinched nerve, and advised the cause could be unrelated or it could be the endo and that the shock of the pain has caused the vomiting. Just wondering if anyone else gets this and if the pain is only going to continue to get worse?
WanderingFox profile image
WanderingFox
in Endometriosis UK
4 months ago

Sciatica and Acupuncture

Following on from my post about having severe sciatica, has anyone tried acupuncture for relief from it, I'm always dubious about acupuncture, I worry about them putting a needle in the wrong place, lol, I know probably stupid, I also wonder how you find one you can trust to be experienced enough.
Following on from my post about having severe sciatica, has anyone tried acupuncture for relief from it, I'm always dubious about acupuncture, I worry about them putting a needle in the wrong place, lol, I know probably stupid, I also wonder how you find one you can trust to be experienced enough.
TG58 profile image
TG58
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
20 days ago
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Unexpected sciatica

In august I had a mild back ache which got progressively worse and then wow, all of a sudden, sciatica hit, I was screaming in pain, my leg, ankle, foot and toes, I have never experienced anything like it.
In august I had a mild back ache which got progressively worse and then wow, all of a sudden, sciatica hit, I was screaming in pain, my leg, ankle, foot and toes, I have never experienced anything like it.
Mumbear15 profile image
Mumbear15
in Pain Concern
4 months ago

Gabapentin and sciatica

I’ve had sciatica for about 8 weeks and no sign of getting better. I’ve just been taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. My doctor has prescribed Gabapentin but not started taking it yet. I have an appointment with NHS muscular skeletal clinic in a few days. The cause of my pain not diagnosed yet.
I’ve had sciatica for about 8 weeks and no sign of getting better. I’ve just been taking paracetamol and ibuprofen. My doctor has prescribed Gabapentin but not started taking it yet. I have an appointment with NHS muscular skeletal clinic in a few days. The cause of my pain not diagnosed yet.
Canal199 profile image
Canal199
in Pain Concern
2 months ago

anti-inflammatory and CBD oil

I would like to know what everyone is taking for anti-inflammatory and what you are doing for spinal stenosis and sciatica pains. Also, do you know what CBD oil is good for. Thank you !
I would like to know what everyone is taking for anti-inflammatory and what you are doing for spinal stenosis and sciatica pains. Also, do you know what CBD oil is good for. Thank you !
Cutie2001 profile image
Cutie2001
in Cure Parkinson's
18 days ago

Sciatica pain

hello everyone, I had to stop runnng for last 6 days due to sciatica pain. I am really down with misery. Gp dont help, painkillers are not helpful. Now trying streches and yoga. Please share if yoy know any tips to get back to running, my friends.
hello everyone, I had to stop runnng for last 6 days due to sciatica pain. I am really down with misery. Gp dont help, painkillers are not helpful. Now trying streches and yoga. Please share if yoy know any tips to get back to running, my friends.
Simmi22 profile image
Simmi22
in Couch to 5K
5 months ago

Tapentadol

Has any body been prescribed Tapentadol for acute Sciatica pain and how did they get on.
Has any body been prescribed Tapentadol for acute Sciatica pain and how did they get on.
gordon292 profile image
gordon292
in Pain Concern
4 months ago

sciatica

what’s best - to try and manage without painkillers or to have them? My reason for asking is that the painkillers cover the problem - am I potentially making it worse if I can’t feel the warning signals or as I’ve also heard does having painkillers help the problem by calming it down and also allowing
what’s best - to try and manage without painkillers or to have them? My reason for asking is that the painkillers cover the problem - am I potentially making it worse if I can’t feel the warning signals or as I’ve also heard does having painkillers help the problem by calming it down and also allowing
Siatica profile image
Siatica
in Pain Concern
7 months ago

Spinal stenosis and sciatica

I have spinal stenosis (L4 and L5) and sciatica. I have pain on both ankles, legs and all the way up to my glute and lower back. I go to Chiropractor 2x a week but I can’t seem to get rid of the pain.
I have spinal stenosis (L4 and L5) and sciatica. I have pain on both ankles, legs and all the way up to my glute and lower back. I go to Chiropractor 2x a week but I can’t seem to get rid of the pain.
Cutie2001 profile image
Cutie2001
in Cure Parkinson's
3 months ago

Sciatica anyone suffer from it

I recently got sciatica, and I've got to say, the pain is absolutely horrendous, it goes from my bum all the way down to my right foot, sometimes it's intermittent, and sometimes their is no letup.
I recently got sciatica, and I've got to say, the pain is absolutely horrendous, it goes from my bum all the way down to my right foot, sometimes it's intermittent, and sometimes their is no letup.
TG58 profile image
TG58
in Lung Conditions Community Forum
21 days ago

Gabapentin!

I was carrying something heavy seven weeks ago, and this triggered sciatica. I have been taking gabapentin 900mg per day, for five days now, and my sciatica pain has worsened, although not intolerably. Is this just a temporary side effect of the medication?
I was carrying something heavy seven weeks ago, and this triggered sciatica. I have been taking gabapentin 900mg per day, for five days now, and my sciatica pain has worsened, although not intolerably. Is this just a temporary side effect of the medication?
garydavidturneryahoo profile image
garydavidturneryahoo
in Pain Concern
6 months ago

Sciatica

Worst pain have ever had - because I have high blood pressure am not meant to take ibuprofen and was prescribed cocodamol which has done nothing for pain. Any suggestions? I see clinical practitioner tomorrow so would love response before then. Thanks
Worst pain have ever had - because I have high blood pressure am not meant to take ibuprofen and was prescribed cocodamol which has done nothing for pain. Any suggestions? I see clinical practitioner tomorrow so would love response before then. Thanks
Ancientrimer profile image
Ancientrimer
in PMRGCAuk
8 months ago

BAD FLEAR UP OR IS IT

My question is this polymyalgia could it be long covid that I have suffered with for two and a half years or could it be sciatica all the symptoms seam very similar I wondered if anyone has anything similar. Thanks redpete
My question is this polymyalgia could it be long covid that I have suffered with for two and a half years or could it be sciatica all the symptoms seam very similar I wondered if anyone has anything similar. Thanks redpete
redpete1 profile image
redpete1
in PMRGCAuk
3 months ago

IVE GIVEN UP ALL HOPE ON NOT HAVING A PAINLESS FREE DAY EVER AGAIN, FROM RIPE OLD AGE OF 42 UNTIL IM 6FT UNDER

In 2013 I had L5/S1 fusion due to compressed nerve root along with debilitating Sciatica and excruciating back pain, I pushed on at work for 8 years when really I should have downed Tools through my own doing and not having my body forcing me, litterally unable to carry out the smallest of Jobs in the
In 2013 I had L5/S1 fusion due to compressed nerve root along with debilitating Sciatica and excruciating back pain, I pushed on at work for 8 years when really I should have downed Tools through my own doing and not having my body forcing me, litterally unable to carry out the smallest of Jobs in the
KripTowers profile image
KripTowers
in Pain Concern
4 months ago

?sciatica

Morning im after some help , thankfully my RA is now so much better,but suddenly 12 wks ago sciatica arrived. Boy never had pain like it even in worse days of RA . How can GP be sure its that im confused. Also did new meds bring this joy to me ,Adalimumab!
Morning im after some help , thankfully my RA is now so much better,but suddenly 12 wks ago sciatica arrived. Boy never had pain like it even in worse days of RA . How can GP be sure its that im confused. Also did new meds bring this joy to me ,Adalimumab!
Ninnin67 profile image
Ninnin67
in NRAS
9 months ago

Right thigh quite severe pain

After a terrible December cold, sciatica (or sciatica-like) remained January-March. The sciatica disappeared but severe pain in right thigh going into knee now remains. Even hard to sleep. It is not bilateral so I doubt it's the PMR. Femoral nerve issue is possible. Any suggestions?
After a terrible December cold, sciatica (or sciatica-like) remained January-March. The sciatica disappeared but severe pain in right thigh going into knee now remains. Even hard to sleep. It is not bilateral so I doubt it's the PMR. Femoral nerve issue is possible. Any suggestions?
Neck680 profile image
Neck680
in PMRGCAuk
9 months ago

Pain in groin, and inner , and front thigh

Well I don,t want to repeat my history, just quickly, been on pred 6 yrs, from 40 mgs, now down to 4 mgs, last 6 weeks, have always had back issue, degenerative, slipped disk, spinal stenosis, etc, since July back issues worsened, some sciatica on and off, have been going to chiro and physio, since then
Well I don,t want to repeat my history, just quickly, been on pred 6 yrs, from 40 mgs, now down to 4 mgs, last 6 weeks, have always had back issue, degenerative, slipped disk, spinal stenosis, etc, since July back issues worsened, some sciatica on and off, have been going to chiro and physio, since then
arvine profile image
arvine
in PMRGCAuk
4 months ago

Sciatica hell

either sciatica. It crept upon me over a few days, no obvious cause, I've now had it 2 weeks. Its so very painful - a gnawing deep ache across right buttock down back of leg into calf. Can't get comfortable anywhere and difficulty walking without holding on to furniture.
either sciatica. It crept upon me over a few days, no obvious cause, I've now had it 2 weeks. Its so very painful - a gnawing deep ache across right buttock down back of leg into calf. Can't get comfortable anywhere and difficulty walking without holding on to furniture.
Lunadoo profile image
Lunadoo
in Pain Concern
10 months ago

Not understanding

My PMR started of as a very low back ache then came the painful arms and legs with circular pains around back after many scans etc PMR was diagnosed but half way through all this I had severe what I thought was sciatica pain in buttock and down leg .
My PMR started of as a very low back ache then came the painful arms and legs with circular pains around back after many scans etc PMR was diagnosed but half way through all this I had severe what I thought was sciatica pain in buttock and down leg .
rachelbell profile image
rachelbell
in PMRGCAuk
6 months ago
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