Symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica usually affects one side of the body. The pain follows the path of the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the buttock and down the leg.

Typical symptoms

• Pain that runs from the lower back or buttock down the back of the thigh and calf, sometimes to the foot or toes.
• The pain can be sharp, burning, shooting or like an electric shock, or a dull ache.
• Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, sneezing, bending forward or standing up suddenly.
• Numbness, tingling or "pins and needles" in the leg or foot.
• Weakness in the leg, a heavy feeling or difficulty lifting the foot (foot drop).
• Low back pain may be mild or absent. Often the leg pain is worse than the back pain.

Patterns

• Pain may come and go, or be constant.
• Relief may come on lying down or walking, while sitting for long often makes it worse.
• Symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe pain that limits walking.

Emergency warning signs (cauda equina) Seek urgent medical care at once (112) if you have:

• Loss of control of the bladder or bowel, or difficulty passing urine.
• Numbness around the groin or inner thighs (saddle area).
• Weakness or numbness in both legs, or worsening weakness.
• Severe pain after a fall or injury, or with fever.

Other reasons to see a doctor Pain lasting more than four to six weeks, pain at night that does not ease, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Gridhrasi is described with pain, stiffness and a "walking like a vulture" gait, which matches sciatica. It is a traditional description and not a diagnosis.

Remember Leg pain with weakness or bladder or bowel change is an emergency. Most other sciatica can be managed with simple care first.