Condition
Sciatica: causes, symptoms and treatment
A clear, clinically reviewed guide to what sciatica is, how long it lasts, and the treatment options that help most people recover.
Quick answer
Sciatica is nerve pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg, caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Most cases ease within 4–6 weeks with conservative care such as targeted exercise, manual therapy and staying gently active.
Key facts
- Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying issue — most often a disc problem or nerve irritation in the lower spine.
- The hallmark sign is pain that travels down one leg, sometimes with numbness or tingling.
- The large majority of cases improve without surgery.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through each buttock and down the back of the leg.
It describes a symptom pattern rather than a diagnosis in itself. Because the pain follows the nerve, people usually feel it on one side. Identifying why the nerve is irritated is what guides effective treatment.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The main symptom is radiating pain down one leg, often burning or electric, sometimes with numbness, tingling or weakness.
- Pain running from the lower back or buttock into the leg
- A burning, sharp or electric-shock quality
- Numbness or tingling along the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens when sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is usually caused by something pressing on the sciatic nerve in the lower spine, most often a herniated disc.
How is sciatica treated?
Most sciatica is treated without surgery, using manual therapy, targeted exercise and activity modification.
At Postura Wellness, care for sciatica is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Get emergency medical attention for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or sudden severe weakness in a leg. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
- Assessment to identify what is irritating the nerve
- Manual therapy and mobilisation to ease pressure and improve movement
- A progressive exercise programme to support the spine
- Guidance on posture and load to reduce recurrence
Get a clear plan for your sciatica
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Back Pain — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Know Your Back — North American Spine Society
- Health Topics — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Sciatica — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Sciatica — NHS inform (Scotland)
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine