Sciatica: What Causes It, How Long Does It Last and Can Osteopathy Help?

Sciatica: What Causes It, How Long Does It Last and Can Osteopathy Help?

Sciatica can be uncomfortable, frustrating and sometimes worrying, particularly when pain travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg.

For some people, symptoms are relatively mild and settle fairly quickly. For others, the pain can interfere with walking, sitting, sleeping, working or exercising. You may also experience tingling, numbness or changes in sensation in the leg or foot.

The good news is that sciatica often improves with time and appropriate management. Understanding what is happening, staying active where possible and getting the right support can all play a part in recovery.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica describes symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back, through the buttock and down the back of each leg.

Sciatica commonly affects one side of the body and symptoms can include:

• Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg
• Burning, aching or sharp pain
• Pins and needles or tingling
• Numbness
• Changes in sensation
• Weakness in the leg or foot

Not everyone experiences sciatica in the same way. Some people have significant leg pain with very little back pain, while others experience symptoms in both the back and leg.

What causes sciatica?

One of the most common causes of sciatica is irritation of a nerve root in the lower spine.

This can sometimes be associated with changes to one of the discs between the vertebrae, often referred to as a slipped, bulging or herniated disc.

However, finding a disc bulge on a scan does not necessarily mean it is responsible for someone's pain. Changes to spinal discs are common, including in people who have no pain at all.

Sciatica can also be associated with changes in the space around the nerves in the spine, inflammation or other conditions affecting the lower back.

This is why an assessment is important. Treatment should be based on the person and their symptoms rather than an imaging result alone.

Is sciatica the same as lower back pain?

Not quite.

Lower back pain can remain around the back, pelvis and buttocks without involving a nerve.

Sciatica usually involves symptoms travelling into the leg along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. In some cases, the leg symptoms can be more noticeable than the back pain itself.

There are also other conditions that can cause pain in the buttock or leg, so pain travelling down the leg does not automatically mean you have sciatica.

How long does sciatica last?

Recovery varies from person to person, but many episodes of sciatica improve over several weeks to a few months.

It can be tempting to avoid movement completely when symptoms are painful. However, prolonged bed rest is generally not recommended.

Gentle movement and gradually returning to normal activities can be an important part of recovery. What is appropriate will depend on your symptoms, general health and how the condition is affecting you.

Pain can also fluctuate during recovery. Having a more painful day does not necessarily mean that you have caused further damage.

Should you exercise with sciatica?

In many cases, continuing to move within comfortable limits is helpful.

Walking, changing position regularly and gradually returning to everyday activities may be preferable to avoiding movement altogether.

There is no single exercise that is right for everyone with sciatica. The type and amount of movement that is appropriate depends on the individual, their symptoms and what they are currently able to tolerate.

If you are unsure about exercising, particularly if symptoms are severe or you are experiencing weakness or numbness, it is worth being assessed before starting a new exercise programme.

Can osteopathy help with sciatica?

Osteopaths are trained to assess musculoskeletal problems, including back and leg pain.

An osteopathic assessment will look at your symptoms, medical history, movement and other factors that may be contributing to your pain. This can also help determine whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate or whether you should be referred for further medical investigation.

Where appropriate, treatment may include hands-on techniques alongside advice about movement, activity and exercises.

At Core Clapton, treatment is tailored to the individual rather than following a standard treatment plan for everyone with sciatica.

Understanding pain is also an important part of care. Pain is real, but its intensity does not always provide a direct measure of tissue damage. Fear of movement, stress, sleep, previous experiences of pain and general health can all influence how pain is experienced and how someone recovers.

The aim is not simply to treat the painful area, but to help people understand their symptoms, regain confidence in movement and return to the activities that matter to them.

Do you need an MRI for sciatica?

Not everyone with sciatica needs a scan.

In many cases, sciatica can be assessed based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination. Imaging may be recommended when there are particular concerns, symptoms are not progressing as expected, or the result is likely to change how the condition is managed.

An osteopath can assess your symptoms and, where appropriate, recommend that you speak to your GP or another healthcare professional about further investigation.

When should you seek urgent medical help?

Most cases of sciatica are not medical emergencies. However, some symptoms require urgent assessment.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms such as:

• Significant or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs
• Numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
• Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
• Difficulty passing urine
• Severe symptoms affecting both legs

These symptoms can indicate a rare but serious condition called cauda equina syndrome and require urgent medical assessment.

You should also speak to a healthcare professional if you have unexplained weight loss, fever, a history of cancer, significant trauma or other symptoms that concern you.

Sciatica treatment in Hackney and Walthamstow

Core Clapton provides osteopathic care from our clinics in Hackney and at Yonder in Walthamstow.

If you're experiencing sciatica, lower back pain or pain travelling into your leg, an osteopathic assessment can help establish what may be contributing to your symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment and management options.

Our approach combines hands-on osteopathic care with movement, education and advice tailored to the individual, with the aim of helping you feel more confident about your body and getting back to the activities that matter to you.

Experiencing sciatica or lower back pain?

Book an osteopathy appointment at Core Clapton in Hackney or Walthamstow for an assessment and personalised treatment plan.

This article is intended for general information and should not replace individual medical advice. If you are concerned about your symptoms, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.

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