Sciatica

Sciatica is when your sciatic nerve becomes irritated, causing discomfort and painful symptoms which can include:

Pain that radiates down through your buttocks, hips and legs typically – you might experience this as a mild ache, burning sensation or shooting pains (the pain can vary from person to person).
The feeling of irritation, pins and needles or a painful tingling down your buttocks, hips, and legs.
Very occasionally weakness in your legs or feet.

Causes

The most common causes of sciatica are:

Age – If you are over 40 you are more likely to experience sciatica because normal age-related changes can impact on your spine and sciatic nerve.
Pregnancy – Back pain and sciatica are common during pregnancy because your body undergoes huge changes that can impact on your sciatic nerve - read more about sciatica in pregnancy.
Weight – Being overweight or obese puts more strain on your spine and back, which can lead to conditions that may put pressure on your sciatic nerve.
Lifestyle – People who live a sedentary lifestyle and spend long periods sitting down are more likely to experience sciatica than those who are more active. Sustained pressure or strain on the sciatic nerve or spine, for example from heavy lifting at work or driving, may also trigger sciatica.

Physiotherapy treatment for sciatica with a VIP Healthcare physio may include: