Pain travelling from your back or buttock into your leg?
Sciatica commonly describes pain caused by irritation or compression of a nerve in the lower back. Symptoms may travel through the buttock and down one leg, sometimes reaching the calf, foot or toes.
It can affect sitting, walking, sleeping, driving, work and exercise. Some people also experience tingling, numbness or weakness.
At InTune Clinic in Jesmond, our osteopaths and physiotherapists assess back and leg symptoms, examine relevant nerve function and explain whether treatment, rehabilitation or medical referral is the most appropriate next step.
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Symptoms commonly associated with sciatica
Sciatica may involve:
pain in the lower back or buttock,
pain travelling down the back or side of the leg,
burning, shooting or electric-shock sensations,
tingling or pins and needles,
numbness,
weakness in the leg, ankle or foot,
symptoms aggravated by sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing,
difficulty walking, sleeping or finding a comfortable position.
Symptoms often affect one side, although not every pain travelling into the leg is sciatica.
You do not need to diagnose yourself before booking. Your assessment is designed to clarify what may be causing your symptoms and whether private musculoskeletal care is appropriate.
What can cause sciatica?
Sciatica can occur when one or more nerve roots in the lower back become irritated or compressed.
Possible causes include:
a disc bulge or prolapse,
narrowing around a nerve,
inflammation or sensitivity around a nerve root,
age-related changes in the lower back,
injury or a sudden change in physical workload.
Pain travelling into the leg can also come from muscles, joints, the hip or other tissues without a spinal nerve being involved.
This is why the pattern of pain alone is not enough to confirm sciatica.
What happens at your sciatica assessment?
We listen
Your osteopath or physiotherapist will ask about:
when and how your symptoms began,
where the pain travels,
whether you have tingling, numbness or weakness,
what makes the symptoms better or worse,
any changes in walking or balance,
previous episodes of back or leg pain,
recent injury or illness,
your general health, medication and medical history,
bladder, bowel or genital-area symptoms,
how the problem affects work, sleep and normal activity.
We assess
Where appropriate and with your consent, the examination may include:
lower-back and hip movement,
walking and functional movements,
leg strength,
sensation,
reflexes,
nerve-tension tests,
relevant joints and muscles,
balance or coordination where indicated.
We will avoid repeatedly forcing movements that cause severe or worsening symptoms.
We explain our findings
After the assessment, we will discuss:
whether your symptoms appear consistent with nerve irritation,
which nerve functions may be affected,
whether treatment and rehabilitation are appropriate,
whether GP review, medication advice, imaging or specialist referral may be needed,
how to remain active safely,
which symptoms should prompt urgent medical attention.