Sciatica
Sciatica is radiating leg pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve — usually treatable with targeted, non-surgical care.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and along the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve. It is a symptom — most often of a herniated disc or spinal narrowing pressing on a nerve root — rather than a diagnosis in itself.
Symptoms
- Sharp or burning pain radiating down one leg
- Numbness, tingling or “pins and needles”
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens on sitting, standing or coughing
How it is treated
Most sciatica settles with time and the right care: physiotherapy, activity modification and, where helpful, an epidural injection to calm the inflamed nerve. If pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by weakness, an MRI guides whether decompression surgery would help.
Frequently asked questions
Many episodes improve within a few weeks with appropriate care. Persistent or severe cases benefit from targeted treatment.
Gentle, guided activity is usually better than bed rest. Dr. Sivaraj and the physiotherapy team will advise what is safe for you.
Leg pain that won’t settle?
Get to the root of your sciatica with an accurate diagnosis and a clear treatment plan.