Sciatica is where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks but can last longer.
If you have sciatica, your:
- bottom
- back of your leg
- foot and toes
may feel:
- painful – the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
- tingling – like pins and needles
- numb
- weak
Your symptoms may be worse when moving, sneezing or coughing.
You may also have back pain, but it's not usually as bad as the pain in your bottom, leg or foot.
Sciatica usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes last longer.
To help relieve your pain and speed up recovery:
See a GP if the pain:
- has not improved after trying home treatments for a few weeks
- is getting worse
- is stopping you doing your normal activities
If you have sciatica, a GP may:
- suggest exercises and stretches
- prescribe painkillers
They might also refer you for:
- physiotherapy – including exercise advice and techniques like massage (manual therapy)
- psychological support – to help you cope with the pain
Physiotherapy is free of charge on the NHS throughout the UK, but waiting times can be long. You can also get it privately.
Other treatments for sciatica
If your pain is severe and treatments from a GP have not helped, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for:
- painkilling injections
- a procedure to seal off some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals
- surgery – an operation called decompression surgery can sometimes help relieve sciatica
To reduce the chances of getting sciatica again:
Sciatica happens when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve.
Causes include:
- a slipped disc (the most common cause) – when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out
- spinal stenosis – narrowing of the part of your spine where nerves pass through
- spondylolisthesis – when one of the bones in your spine slips out of position
- a back injury