What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by irritation to, or compression of, your sciatic nerve. The nerve runs from your lower back, down both your legs, and into your feet.
The pain can vary in intensity from tingling to stabbing, shooting, or burning discomfort, which subsides into a dull ache. Alternatively, you may feel weakness or numbness down the leg.
It can also vary in position, radiating from your lower back, through your glutes and/or your hamstrings, possibly down as far as your lower leg and feet.
However, typically, if your pain is confined to your back then it’s not sciatica but the sign of a different condition.
Not surprisingly, sciatica can make sitting down very uncomfortable.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is extremely common, particularly among middle-aged men (interestingly, it affects men significantly more than it affects women).
Anything that constricts or aggravates the sciatic nerve can cause sciatica. This includes a back or disc injury, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or simply tight glutes that press against the nerve as it passes beneath them.
Being overweight, especially if you are also relatively inactive or spend a lot of your time seating down, are key risk factors.
How Long Does It Last?
It can take several weeks or months for sciatica to clear up and, unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for some people to suffer more than one episode a year.
However, it’s generally agreed that manual therapy combined with regular, gentle exercise is beneficial for offering relief.
Once it has been diagnosed, your osteopath will want to prescribe a tailored treatment plan with rehabilitation advice to help you recover as quickly as possible.
Icing the area and taking anti-inflammatory painkillers may also help bring relief.
* Note: Any strong, sudden pain in your back, or major weakness in your leg should be treated as an emergency and you should seek medical help immediately.
Prices:
Principal Osteopath:
Initial Consultation: £65
Follow-up Consultation: £60
Osteopath:
Initial Consultation: £55
Follow-up Consultation: £50
View our Services & Treatments
Osteopathy
Osteopathy aims to improve the function of the body and reduce pain using a variety of evidence-based techniques including soft tissue massage, gentle-focused manipulation and rehabilitation advice.
Great for:
Low back pain & Sciatica | Neck & Shoulder pain | Knee pain | Foot & ankle pain | Jaw pain | Elbow pain
Mummy MOT
The Mummy MOT is a top-to-toe postnatal check-up performed by our specialist women’s health Osteopath, Beth Gilks.
Great for:
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists help people affected by injury or illness by using a variety of techniques such as movement and exercise, manual hands-on therapy, education and advice.
Great for:
Low back pain & Sciatica | Neck & Shoulder pain | Knee pain | Foot & ankle pain | Jaw pain | Elbow pain | Sports Injuries
Sports Therapy & Sports Massage
Sports therapists are experts in musculoskeletal disorders, treating pain and injury through hands-on techniques and rehabilitation. Sports massage works on deeper tissues than therapeutic massage and is highly effective at both treating and preventing injuries.
Great for:
Promotes healing | Faster recovery | Enhances endurance | Increases flexibility | Injury prevention
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that uses an acoustic wave to carry high levels of energy to painful spots and musculoskeletal tissues suffering from a range of injuries and other conditions.
Great for:
Tendon problems | Frozen shoulder | Calcified tendons | Shin splints | Hip pain | Plantar fasciitis | Osteoarthritis
Dry Needling
Dry needling stimulates the body’s healing process by targeting trigger points that have been activated in response to pain, causing surrounding muscles to tighten.
Great for:
Relaxation | Reduces stress and tension | Reduces pain | Injury recovery
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage treatment uses less pressure than a sports massage and is a combination of relaxation massage and remedial massage.
Great for:
Relaxation | Reduces stress and tension | Reduces pain | Injury recovery
Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping is a highly successful technique used by our expert therapists to help support the body’s own healing process.
Great for:
Joint, muscle & ligament support | Tennis & golfer’s elbow | Shoulder injuries | Bursitis | Postural issues | Lower back pain
Nutritional Therapy
Nutritional Therapy is the use of foods, diets, fasting, supplements, functional foods and dietary counselling, assessment and support to help people reach their health goals.
Great for:
Better sleep | Relieve joint pain | Relief for muscle soreness | Recovery | Relaxation | Improves circulation
Reflexology
Reflexology is a deeply relaxing, non-invasive treatment, applying pressure to areas on the feet (or the hands), which heals at a physical and emotional level.
