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Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg. It's usually caused by a slipped disc or other condition pressing on the nerve roots in the lower spine.
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Public health education article
Self-care advice — See your GP if sciatica pain is severe, worsening, or not improving after a few weeks of self-care.
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Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg. It's usually caused by a slipped disc or other condition pressing on the nerve roots in the lower spine.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You experience numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg. It's usually caused by a slipped disc or other condition pressing on the nerve roots in the lower spine.
Symptoms typically include a sharp, burning, or shooting pain down one leg, sometimes with numbness, tingling, or weakness. Most cases improve within a few weeks to a few months with simple self-care.
See your GP if sciatica pain is severe, worsening, or not improving after a few weeks of self-care.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Most sciatica improves within a few weeks with gentle movement, appropriate pain relief, and time, without needing specialist treatment.
Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control alongside back pain is a medical emergency that needs immediate assessment.