Quick answer: Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, often from a slipped disc. Most cases improve in a few weeks to a few months with staying active, physiotherapy, gentle exercises and doctor-advised pain relief. Surgery is needed only in a small number of people.
Sciatica can turn a normal day into a struggle. Sitting in traffic on Ballari Road, bending to pick something up or even coughing can send pain down the leg. This guide explains what causes sciatica, how it is treated without surgery, which exercises help, and the warning signs that need urgent care.
Key takeaways
- Sciatica is a symptom of nerve irritation, most often from a slipped (herniated) disc.
- The NHS says sciatica usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months.
- Staying active and doing gentle exercises speeds recovery more than bed rest.
- Physiotherapy helps relieve pain and prevent the problem coming back.
- Numbness around the genitals or loss of bladder or bowel control needs emergency care.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttock and down each leg to the foot. The NHS sciatica page explains that it happens when this nerve is irritated or compressed, and that it usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months.
Typical symptoms include:
- Pain in the buttock or down the back of the leg, sometimes to the foot
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the leg
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse when sitting, coughing or sneezing
What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a slipped (herniated) disc pressing on a nerve root in the lower back. Other causes include narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), a slipped vertebra, and, rarely, infection or a growth. In many people, a cause is found on examination, and scans are only needed in some cases.
Our article on slipped disc treatment in Yelahanka explains disc problems in more detail.
How is sciatica different from normal back pain?
Normal back pain stays mainly in the back, while sciatica spreads down the leg, often below the knee, and may come with tingling or numbness. The NHS notes that you probably do not have sciatica if you only have back pain. Low back pain itself is very common: the WHO fact sheet on low back pain reports it affected 619 million people globally in 2020.
| Feature | Ordinary low back pain | Sciatica |
|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Lower back | Buttock and down the leg, often below the knee |
| Type of pain | Ache, stiffness | Sharp, burning or shooting pain |
| Nerve symptoms | Usually none | Tingling, numbness, sometimes weakness |
| Worse with | Bending, lifting | Sitting, coughing, sneezing |
| Usual outlook | Improves in weeks | Improves in weeks to months |
How is sciatica treated?
Sciatica is usually treated without surgery. Treatment includes staying as active as you can, gentle exercises and stretches, physiotherapy, short-term pain relief advised by a doctor, and heat packs. If pain is severe or does not improve, an orthopaedic doctor may suggest further tests, an injection, or, in a small number of people, surgery.
| Treatment | When it is used |
|---|---|
| Staying active and gentle exercise | From the start, for almost everyone |
| Physiotherapy | When pain limits daily life or keeps returning |
| Doctor-advised pain relief | For short periods to help you stay active |
| Scans (such as MRI) | If symptoms are severe, persistent or red flags are present |
| Injections or surgery | Only for selected cases, after specialist assessment |
Our backache and disc problem treatment service and slipped disc physiotherapy programme are designed for this kind of pain.
Which exercises help sciatica?
Gentle exercises that keep the back and hips moving can help sciatica. Common ones include knee-to-chest stretches, pelvic tilts, gentle back extensions and short walks. Stop any exercise that makes leg pain spread further down, and ask a physiotherapist to choose exercises that suit your cause of sciatica.
- Knee-to-chest stretch: lie on your back and gently bring one knee towards your chest
- Pelvic tilts: lie on your back with knees bent and flatten your lower back to the floor
- Walking: short, regular walks rather than one long one
Avoid long periods of sitting. If you work at a desk, get up every 30 minutes.
When is sciatica an emergency?
Sciatica is an emergency if you have numbness around the genitals or buttocks, new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, weakness in both legs, or severe pain in both legs. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome, which needs immediate hospital care. Go to the nearest emergency department straight away.
Physiotherapy for back and leg pain at our Yelahanka New Town centre includes pain relief physiotherapy and interferential therapy, and our orthopaedic team reviews cases that need scans or specialist care.
Where is Naina Polyclinic in Yelahanka?
Naina Polyclinic has served families in Yelahanka, Bengaluru, since 1998 from two centres:
- Naina Polyclinic (Kogilu Road): 2, Kogilu Main Rd, Kondappa Garden Layout, Maruthi Nagar, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064. Phone: +91 88615 22910
- Naina Polyclinic & Physiotherapy Center (Yelahanka New Town): 2057, 13th B Cross Rd, MIG Sector B, Udaya Layout, Yelahanka New Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064. Phone: +91 96637 44434
Dr. K.G. Shankarnarayan consults at the Kogilu Road clinic Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and at the Yelahanka New Town centre Monday to Saturday, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Physiotherapy sessions run Monday to Saturday, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the New Town centre. Sunday is a holiday. Full details are on our contact and appointments page.
Related reading: our guides on slipped disc treatment in Yelahanka and best physiotherapist in Yelahanka. You can also learn more about our backache and disc problem treatment at Naina Polyclinic.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sciatica take to go away?
According to the NHS, sciatica usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months, but it can sometimes last longer and may come back. Staying active, doing gentle exercises and getting physiotherapy if needed can help you recover faster and reduce the chance of it returning.
Is bed rest good for sciatica?
No. Long bed rest usually slows recovery. It is better to stay as active as you can, with short rests when needed. Gentle walking and stretches keep the back moving. A physiotherapist can guide you on how much activity is right for you at each stage.
Can sciatica be cured without surgery?
Yes, most people with sciatica recover without surgery. Exercise, physiotherapy, pain relief advised by a doctor and time help the majority. Surgery is considered only when pain is severe and not improving, or when there is nerve weakness or other warning signs.
Do I need an MRI for sciatica?
Most people do not need an MRI at first. Your doctor can usually diagnose sciatica from your symptoms and examination. An MRI may be advised if pain is severe, lasts several weeks despite treatment, causes weakness, or if there are warning signs that need urgent investigation.
Which doctor should I see for sciatica?
An orthopaedic doctor is a good first choice for sciatica, along with a physiotherapist for exercise and rehabilitation. At Naina Polyclinic, our orthopaedic doctor and physiotherapy team in Yelahanka work together to assess and treat back and leg pain.
Book an appointment at Naina Polyclinic
Pain shooting down your leg? Call us to see our orthopaedic doctor, or book through our contact page. Kogilu Road: +91 88615 22910. Yelahanka New Town: +91 96637 44434. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. K.G. Shankarnarayan (Shankarnarayan Kunigal), MBBS, D.Orth (Orthopaedics), Naina Polyclinic, Yelahanka. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. Please consult a doctor about your own symptoms, tests and treatment.