Back & spine pain
Sciatica
“Pain shoots down my leg from my buttock”
Sciatica describes pain travelling down the leg from an irritated nerve in the lower back. Many people improve with time and guided care.
This guide is general education to help you understand your options. It is not a diagnosis — only an assessment by a qualified clinician can tell you what is causing your symptoms.
In plain words
‘Sciatica’ is a description of symptoms, not a diagnosis on its own. It usually means a nerve root in the lower back is irritated, causing pain, tingling or numbness down the leg. With the right advice and exercise, many people improve over weeks to months.
What you may notice
- Pain from the buttock down the back of the leg
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness
- Leg pain that may feel worse than the back pain
- Pain worse with sitting, coughing or sneezing
Common causes
- Disc bulge pressing on a nerve root
- Narrowing of the space around the nerves
- Muscle and joint irritation around the hip
What an assessment may include
- Detailed history and red-flag screening
- Neurological examination (strength, sensation, reflexes)
- Nerve mobility tests
- Referral for imaging or specialist review only when clinically indicated
Your care pathway
Explanation and symptom-calming strategies
Positions and movements that ease the nerve
Progressive exercise and nerve mobility work
Gradual return to normal activity and work
Monitoring and specialist referral if not improving
Clinical detail
Most lumbar radiculopathy improves conservatively; progressive neurological deficit or cauda equina symptoms require urgent medical assessment.
When to seek prompt medical help
- Loss of bladder or bowel control or saddle numbness — seek emergency care
- Weakness in the leg or foot that is getting worse
- Sciatica on both sides at the same time
In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department. This website cannot provide emergency care.
How we can help
Questions patients ask
Will I need surgery for sciatica?
Most people improve without surgery. A specialist opinion is sought if symptoms are severe, not improving, or there is progressive weakness.