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Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, caused by an irritated nerve. It can be very painful, but it often settles with time. We help you manage the pain and get moving while it does.
Sciatica is the name for pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, or of the nerve roots in the lower back that form it. The most common cause is a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root. Narrowing of the spaces around the nerves can also cause it, particularly in older people.
Sciatica is common [1]. For many people it improves over weeks to a few months, although it can come back.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sciatica
Leg pain
Pain from the buttock down the back or side of the leg, sometimes into the foot. Often worse than the back pain.
Pins and needles
Tingling or burning in the leg or foot.
Numbness
Areas of the leg or foot that feel numb.
Weakness
Weakness in the leg or foot, for example difficulty walking on your heels or toes.
Weakness that is getting worse, or any of the warning signs under When to get urgent help, needs medical attention straight away.
Treatment options
Treatment for sciatica
We aim to ease the pain, keep you moving and protect the nerve while it recovers.
Chiropractic
First appointment £70, follow-ups £50
Gentle hands-on treatment and exercises chosen for nerve-related pain, with advice on staying active.
Careful assessment of the nerve and your strength and reflexes
Treatment chosen to suit nerve-related pain
Spinal decompression available on site
Referral for further investigation if needed
How it works
Your four-step journey
01
Get in touch
Book online or call us. Many of our consultations are free.
02
Assessment
We listen to your history, examine you and, where it helps, scan the area with ultrasound.
03
Your plan
We explain what we think is going on and your options, with costs, so you can decide.
04
Treatment and review
We start treatment if it’s right for you, and check your progress as you go.
Causes
What causes sciatica?
A bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root: the most common cause.
Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), more common with age.
Less common causes, such as a slipped vertebra, or very rarely an infection or growth, which we check for at your assessment.
Self-care
Helping yourself
Keep as active as you can. Short walks are usually better than lying down for long periods.
Take simple painkillers as advised by a pharmacist. Some nerve pain medicines need a GP prescription.
Avoid sitting for long stretches; change position often.
When to get urgent help
Don’t wait with these
Call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you have back pain with any of these:
new difficulty passing urine, or loss of bladder or bowel control
numbness around your genitals or back passage
weakness in your legs that is getting worse quickly
Seek urgent medical advice if your pain comes with a fever, follows a significant fall or injury, or you have a history of cancer, or feel generally unwell.
Your clinicians
Meet our chiropractors
Gary Edwards
Injection Therapist and Chiropractor, Clinic Director
GCC 03996
Orit Edwards
Chiropractor
GCC 04042
Jean-Luc Lafitte
Chiropractor
GCC 00771
Registered and regulated
Google reviews
What our patients say
5.0from 150 Google reviews
Lower back pain★★★★★
I went to see Gary as I was having some lower back issues. He was very friendly and knowledgeable, explaining what the likely causes were… and he followed it up with some helpful exercises to prevent future issues, as well as practical advice.
Matt and Alice K. · 2024 · Google review
Sacroiliac pain★★★★★
After the first appointment with Gary I noticed a marked improvement, and it has continued to improve with subsequent treatments. Gary’s advice on precipitating factors has been really useful and the remedial exercises he suggested are also very effective.
Paul H. · 2017 · Google review
Back and neck★★★★★
Both my wife and I have been seeing Gary Edwards… initially for acute flares of back/neck problems and now for maintenance treatment. He is extremely professional and thorough… giving us a full half hour on each visit.
Haydn B. · 2018 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
I recommend Jean Luc to everyone I meet. He adopts a holistic, whole person approach… and offers great advice for continuing the work at home. The clinic is beautiful and centrally located.
Lauren T. · 2025 · Google review
Chiropractic★★★★★
Professional, friendly and most importantly effective. What’s also nice is that I was never forced to rebook or given a ‘minimum number of sessions’ for results. It’s straightforward. Book again if it helps and you need additional support.
John C. · 2024 · Google review
Headaches★★★★★
I went for a consultation with Jean Luc who suggested my migraines could be caused by a problem with my neck. After several treatments to my neck, back and jaw, my headaches began to improve and become less frequent… Jean Luc is very knowledgeable and kind.
It varies. Many people improve over a few weeks to a few months. If it isn’t settling, or you have weakness, we’ll talk about further tests or a referral.
Can chiropractic help sciatica?
Gentle hands-on treatment combined with exercise may help some people, but treatment needs to be chosen carefully. We’ll explain what’s suitable after examining you.
Do I need an MRI scan?
Not usually at first. A scan may be needed if symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving, or if surgery or an injection is being considered.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
References
Konstantinou K, Dunn KM. Sciatica: review of epidemiological studies and prevalence estimates. Spine 2008;33(22):2464–2472. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e318183a4a2
Written by Orit Edwards, Chiropractor (GCC 04042). Last updated 15 October 2026.
