​Sciatica Pain Northampton & Corby

Sciatica

 

The sciatic nerve begins in the lower back and extends through the buttocks, down the back of each leg to the thighs and feet. Sciatica refers to the pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. In most cases we are actually more interested clinically in what is behind the irritation of the nerve because this is what actually needs to be targeted by the treatment approach given to get you better.

 

Sciatica typically occurs on one side of the body due to the anatomy involved and can be acute, lasting for a few weeks or chronic, persisting for more than 3 months. In most cases, sciatica resolves within a few weeks or months and rarely causes permanent nerve damage.​​​​​​​​​​

 

Causes

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Some medical conditions that can cause sciatica include:

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• Herniated disc

• Lumbar spinal stenosis

• Piriformis syndrome

• Spondylolisthesis

• Degenerative disc disease

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

• Diabetes

• Tumour

• Trauma

 

If you think you know why you have sciatica we've added a convenient slider to help you find direct access to some articles more specific to certain conditions.

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Signs and Symptoms

 

Sciatica is the pain felt from a compressed sciatic nerve and typically occurs on one side of the body.  The pain can vary from mild to debilitating depending on the degree of pressure exerted on the sciatic nerve.

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Patients with a compressed sciatic nerve often experience symptoms such as: 

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• Pain in the lower back, buttock area,  and leg

• Sharp, intense, shooting pain down the leg

• Numbness, burning, or tingling sensations in the leg or foot

• Weakness of the leg or foot

• Pain that increases with coughing, sneezing, or straining

• Pain that increases with bending backward and with prolonged sitting or standing

 

If you experience tingling or numbness in both legs simultaneously, changes in bowel or bladder control, or altered sensation around your anus or genitals, this may indicate Cauda Equina Syndrome. This condition requires urgent attention at a hospital.

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For more specific information about these symptoms, please visit our dedicated article. If you suspect you have these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

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Diagnosis

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Your Team Rehab uk physiotherapist will thoroughly review your symptoms and medical history, followed by a detailed physical examination. This examination will assess your range of motion, muscle strength, neurological functions (such as reflexes), and some special testing specific to neurological symptoms. This enables us to determine the source of your sciatica symptoms so that we can then make informed decisions on how best to formulate a plan with you moving forwards, during your recovery process.

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Whilst some practitioners may request X-rays for sciatica pain, we generally discourage this except in very specific circumstances. If our specialists suspect structural abnormalities such as fractures, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, or in some cases, organic causes like tumours, an X-ray may be appropriate in the first instance for speed.

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In most other cases, if our specialists are concerned about your symptoms, their findings, or if you are not responding as expected to treatment, an MRI of the affected region may be ordered. An MRI provides a detailed image of almost all local structures, including discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Additionally, blood tests may be ordered to diagnose conditions such as Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.​​​​​​

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Treatment at Team Rehab uk

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Treatment for sciatica is often conservative in nature, meaning that surgery is typically not required. There are various effective methods we use for treating the symptoms of sciatica, including:

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Physiotherapy

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• Soft Tissue/Myofascial Release

• Bony Mobilizations

• Exercises

• Kinesio Taping

• Electrotherapy

• Acupuncture

• Comprehensive Advice and Education

 

Medications

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• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

 

Other Treatments

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• Cold and Heat Packs: Application of cold or heat packs, or both, can help ease pain, discomfort, and stiffness.

• Activity Modification: Simply adjusting or avoiding irritating activities can lead to significant pain relief.

 

These conservative treatments can effectively manage and alleviate your sciatica symptoms, helping you return to your daily activities with minimal discomfort. In cases where our specialists are concerned regarding your presentations or progress, further investigations and onwards referrals may be recommended and we can help you to facilitate this via our extensive networking connections.

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Summary

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Sciatica is a painful condition caused due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. Other symptoms include numbness or weakness in the lower back or leg. Sciatica pain may worsen with prolonged sitting, bending, or coughing. Treatment includes physiotherapy, medications, hot or cold packs, and in severe cases, injections & surgery.