What Are the Treatment Options for Sciatica?

The right plan depends on what is irritating the sciatic nerve, how severe the pain is, whether there is weakness or numbness, and how symptoms change over time.

Sciatica is pain or altered sensation that travels along the sciatic nerve, often from the lower back through the buttock and into the leg. Treatment usually aims to reduce irritation, keep you moving safely, and address the source of pressure when it does not settle.

A clinician may recommend short-term changes such as avoiding heavy lifting or positions that sharply worsen leg pain while maintaining gentle movement. Anti-inflammatory medication may help some people, but it is not suitable for everyone, including people with certain stomach, kidney, heart, or medication-related risks.

Physiotherapy can use an examination, tailored exercises, movement advice, and gradual strengthening to improve function. Exercise therapy may be part of that programme, rather than a fixed routine that suits every back or leg problem.

If pain remains limiting, a specialist may discuss an epidural steroid injection or a nerve root block. These procedures place medicine near irritated spinal nerves and may be considered after an assessment of the likely pain source.

Microdiscectomy is an operation that removes a small amount of disc material pressing on a nerve. It may be considered when symptoms remain disabling despite non-surgical care or when nerve compression is producing meaningful weakness. Read more about [Sciatica](/conditions/sciatica/) and [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/).

Arrange a clinical assessment if leg pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness is interfering with walking, sleep, work, or daily tasks, especially if it is worsening or not improving. Seek urgent care for new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genitals or inner thighs, or severe or progressive weakness in the legs. These symptoms can signal serious nerve compression and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Ask what may be irritating the nerve, which activities are safe while you recover, and whether your medicines fit your health history. You can also ask how progress will be measured, when an injection might be considered, and what changes would make surgery worth discussing.