What is Sciatica and How to Recover
Sciatica can lead to symptoms of back pain in some cases.
Sciatica – compression or irritation of the Sciatic nerve – is one of the most common conditions that our Osteopaths see in the clinic. The proportion of people who experience Sciatica at some point during their lifetime ranges from 13-40% (3).
Sciatica is a unique experience for each person – with a variation of possible symptoms, the length of time you may experience symptoms for, the causes and contributing factors to the symptoms, your overall health and wellbeing (sleep quality, exercise, emotional wellbeing, smoking status, nutrition, hydration, other existing health conditions etc.), and your environment (work, responsibilities, hobbies etc.) all playing a role.
Symptoms of Sciatica can include:
Pain / Tingling / Numbness / Change of Sensation / Weakness in the buttock, back of leg, foot, toes.
You may experience back pain with the above symptoms.
Symptoms may be sudden or have a slow onset.
Symptoms are typically aggravated through movement, sneezing, coughing.
What could cause Sciatica?
Sciatica can have many different causes. Typically, it is caused by irritation of the nerve as it travels from the spine into the leg. This can be from inflammation around the nerves and in some cases from pressure, usually from an intervertebral disc related change (2).
Your Osteopath is trained to consider all potential causes of Sciatica including those which could be unsuitable for manual and physical therapy.
Your Osteopath will be able to refer you to the correct healthcare professional should you need further investigation such as blood tests, urine tests, imaging.
How long does it take to recover from Sciatica?
Sciatica usually improves within 12 weeks, but this can vary significantly between individuals (2).
What can I do to help my recovery?
The NHS (2) recommends:
Carry on with normal activities where possible
Regular use of exercises for Sciatica
Start gentle exercise as soon as you can – anything that gets you moving
Hold heat packs to the painful areas
Putting a small, firm cushion between your knees if you’re a side-sleeper.
If you sleep on your back, place several firm pillows underneath your knees
Our Osteopaths can provide:
A thorough medical history and case history to find out more about you, your symptoms and your current health and wellbeing
A thorough examination to consider different causes of your Sciatica
Discussion / Education on the diagnosis
Refer you for further investigation (if necessary) and explain their reasoning for such a referral
Provide you with a treatment and management plan, including expected progression
Provide manual and physical therapy
Provide advice
If you would like to book in with one of our Osteopaths, head to the “Contact” page to complete an online form by clicking here: CONTACT PAGE
References
1. Bernstein, I., Malik, Q., Carville, S., and Ward, S., (2017) Low back pain and sciatica: summary of NICE guidance [online] Available from: https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6748.full Date accessed: 02.07.23
2. NHS Inform (undated) Sciatica [online] Available from: < https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/conditions/sciatica/ > Date access: 02.07.23
3. NICE (2022) Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) [online] Available from: < https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sciatica-lumbar-radiculopathy/ > Date accessed: 01.07.23
4. NICE (2022) Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy): How common is it? [online] Available from < https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sciatica-lumbar-radiculopathy/background-information/prevalence/ > Date accessed: 02.07.23
