Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower spine, through the buttocks, and down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica occurs when part of the nerve becomes compressed or irritated, often by a spinal disc problem or joint inflammation.
Typical symptoms include:
The most common causes are lumbar disc herniation (slipped disc) pressing on the nerve root and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). Because sciatica can result from several underlying problems, expert diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we begin with a comprehensive consultation — exploring your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. A careful physical and neurological examination helps us identify which nerve root is affected.
To confirm the diagnosis, we may use MRI to visualise the spine and identify nerve compression or disc injury.
Recovery from sciatica often depends on restoring strength, mobility, and posture. Our physiotherapy and rehabilitation partners focus on spinal stability and nerve mobility. Hydrotherapy offers a gentle, supportive way to rebuild movement.
We also work with pain psychology experts to address the impact of persistent pain on mood, sleep, and confidence, promoting long-term resilience. Our holistic approach ensures every aspect of recovery is supported.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
We may recommend:
Our consultants carefully balance medication plans to maximise benefit and minimise side effects.
For persistent or severe pain, we offer a range of targeted procedures including:
In rare or complex cases, our consultants collaborate with spinal surgeons to assess whether surgical management is appropriate.
Our treatment for sciatica is multidisciplinary and highly individualised, combining medication, interventional procedures, physiotherapy, and psychological support to relieve pain and improve function.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
