Back Pain or Sciatica – What’s the Difference?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, often due to spinal issues or muscle tightness.
Back Pain
Back pain may be felt across the lower back and can vary from a persistent ache or stiffness to sharper pain that makes bending, sitting, walking or exercising uncomfortable.
For some people, symptoms appear suddenly. For others, they develop gradually or return periodically.
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It commonly causes pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into one leg and may extend towards the foot.
Alongside pain, some people experience tingling, numbness or weakness in the affected leg.
Do These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
You may benefit from an assessment if you are experiencing:
- Lower back pain or stiffness
- Pain travelling from your back or buttock into your leg
- Sharp, burning or shooting pain down one leg
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Areas of numbness
- Weakness in the affected leg
- Difficulty sitting comfortably for longer periods
- Pain that is interfering with work, exercise, sleep or everyday activities
Not every episode of back or leg pain is caused by the same problem. A proper assessment helps identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of treatment or rehabilitation may be appropriate.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed.
There are several possible reasons for this. These can include changes to a spinal disc or narrowing around the nerves in the lower back, although the cause and severity of symptoms can vary considerably from person to person.
This is why we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach.
At Westway Clinic, your practitioner will first discuss your symptoms and medical history before assessing your movement and carrying out any relevant clinical tests.
How We Can Help With Back Pain and Sciatica
Our aim is not simply to focus on where it hurts.
We look at how your symptoms are affecting your movement and day-to-day life, what may be contributing to the problem and what can realistically be done to help you move more comfortably.
Depending on your assessment and individual needs, your treatment plan may include:
Hands-On Treatment
Where appropriate, osteopathy or physiotherapy may include manual techniques aimed at improving movement and addressing musculoskeletal factors associated with your symptoms.
Movement and Rehabilitation
Your practitioner may recommend specific exercises or stretches to help improve movement, strength and confidence as your symptoms settle.
Advice for Everyday Activity
We can provide practical guidance around sitting, working, lifting, exercise and returning to your usual activities.
Remaining active as much as your symptoms allow is generally recommended for sciatica rather than prolonged periods of sitting or lying down.
A Clear Plan
You should leave your appointment with a better understanding of your symptoms, what your practitioner recommends and what the next steps are.
If your symptoms require investigation or care outside the clinic, we will explain this and advise you on an appropriate next step.
Osteopathy or Physiotherapy – Which Is Right for Me?
Westway Clinic offers both osteopathy and physiotherapy for back pain and sciatica, giving us flexibility when considering the most appropriate approach for each patient.
You do not need to know which treatment you need before getting in touch.
Our team can help direct you towards the most appropriate practitioner based on your symptoms, history and what you would like to get back to doing.
Osteopathy
Hands-on assessment and treatment focused on the musculoskeletal system, movement and function.
Physiotherapy
Assessment, treatment and exercise-based rehabilitation aimed at restoring movement, strength and function.
What Happens at Your First Appointment?
1. We Listen
Your practitioner will ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse and how they are affecting your everyday life.
They will also discuss relevant medical history.
2. We Assess
Your practitioner will assess your movement and may carry out specific clinical tests to help understand your symptoms.
3. We Explain
We will discuss what we have found and explain the treatment options we consider appropriate.
4. We Create a Plan
Where treatment is suitable, this may combine hands-on care with rehabilitation exercises, movement advice and practical steps you can take between appointments.
The plan will be based around your individual symptoms and goals rather than a predetermined course of treatment.
When Should I Seek Urgent Medical Help?
Most episodes of back pain and sciatica do not require emergency treatment. However, certain symptoms need urgent medical assessment.
Go to A&E or call 999 if you have sciatica and develop:
Symptoms affecting both sides
Severe or worsening weakness or numbness in both legs
Numbness around the genitals or bottom
New difficulty starting or controlling urination
Loss of normal bladder control
Loss of awareness or control of bowel movements
These symptoms can indicate a serious spinal problem that needs urgent hospital assessment.
Why Choose Westway Clinic?
“After struggling with back pain for many years, I came to the Westway Clinic to see the Osteopath and have never looked back.”
WC – Reigate
Westway Clinic has been helping patients from Redhill, Reigate and the surrounding Surrey area with musculoskeletal problems for many years.
With osteopathy and physiotherapy available within the same clinic, we can focus on finding an approach that suits the individual rather than trying to fit every patient into the same treatment pathway.
Our focus is simple:
Take the time to understand what is bothering you
Explain things clearly
Recommend appropriate treatment
Give you practical advice you can use outside the clinic
Help you move towards the activities that matter to you
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Is sciatica the same as back pain?
No. Sciatica typically involves irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve and commonly causes symptoms that travel from the lower back or buttock into one leg. You can have back pain without having sciatica.
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Should I rest if I have sciatica?
Long periods of sitting or lying down are generally not recommended. Staying active and introducing gentle movement as tolerated can form part of recovery, although what is appropriate will depend on your individual symptoms.
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Can osteopathy help with sciatica and back pain?
Sciatica and general acute and chronic back pain are among the conditions for which CAP accepts osteopaths may make treatment claims. Your osteopath will still need to assess whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate for your particular symptoms.
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Can physiotherapy help with sciatica?
Physiotherapy can involve assessment, movement advice, rehabilitation exercises and hands-on treatment where appropriate. Westway Clinic provides physiotherapy for patients experiencing back pain and sciatica.
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What if I'm not sure whether I need an osteopath or physiotherapist?
You do not need to decide before contacting us. Tell our team what you are experiencing and we can help you choose the most appropriate appointment.
Ready to Get Your Back Moving Again?
If back pain or sciatica is making work, exercise or everyday life more difficult, book an assessment with the team at Westway Clinic.
We will take the time to understand your symptoms, explain our findings clearly and recommend an appropriate way forward.
Westway Clinic
17 Hatchlands Road
Redhill, Surrey
RH1 6AA
Call: 01737 762990
Convenient for patients in Redhill, Reigate and surrounding areas.