Getting the diagnosis right
Not all leg pain is sciatica. Pain from the hip, the sacroiliac joint or tight buttock muscles can feel similar. I test your reflexes, sensation and strength to see whether a nerve is involved and which one. This matters, because it decides the treatment.
What helps
Treatment aims to take pressure off the irritated nerve: easing muscle spasm, improving movement in the lower back and hips, and finding positions that calm the leg pain. I will show you gentle nerve and back exercises to use at home.
If your symptoms are severe or not improving as expected, I will advise you to see your GP, who may arrange a scan or a referral.
What you can do at home
- Stay as active as the pain allows.
- Avoid sitting for long periods on soft sofas.
- Lying on your back with knees bent over pillows can ease the leg.
- Speak to a pharmacist about suitable pain relief.
See your GP or get urgent help if you have
- Numbness around the bottom or genitals, or bladder or bowel changes (call 999 or go to A&E)
- Sciatica in both legs
- A foot that slaps down or a leg that keeps giving way
- Pain that is getting rapidly worse despite rest and pain relief
If you are not sure, call NHS 111. Clare will always tell you if she thinks you need to see a doctor rather than an osteopath.
Questions about sciatica and trapped nerves
How long does sciatica last?
Many episodes improve over six to twelve weeks. Treatment and the right exercises can help you stay active and comfortable while it settles.
Is a trapped nerve the same as sciatica?
Sciatica is one kind of trapped or irritated nerve, affecting the leg. Nerves in the neck can be irritated in the same way and cause arm pain.