Blog · Steve Hall · 30 June 2026
Osteopathy
Sciatica: what an osteopath looks for
Leg pain is not always “sciatica”. Steve Hall explains how osteopaths distinguish nerve-related pain from other causes, and when imaging or a GP is needed.
Sciatica is a description, not a diagnosis on its own
People use “sciatica” for any pain that travels into the leg. True radicular pain — irritation of a spinal nerve root — often has a particular quality: sharp, electrical, sometimes with pins and needles or weakness. Referred pain from joints or muscles can travel too, without the same nerve signs.
Examination includes straight-leg thinking (carefully), reflexes, strength and sensation, plus how the lumbar spine and hip move. That is how we avoid treating the wrong thing.
Most episodes improve — some need a medical path
Many people with nerve-related leg pain improve over weeks with sensible activity, pain relief advised by a pharmacist or GP, and, for some, manual therapy as part of a wider plan. Cauda equina warning signs — saddle numbness, new bladder or bowel loss, severe bilateral leg weakness — are an emergency.
What I may do in treatment
Hands-on work aims to reduce protective spasm and improve how you move, not to “put a disc back”. Discs do not pop in and out like Lego. Advice on sitting, sleep positions and graded walking usually matters as much as the treatment itself.
This article is general information for people considering care at Health at Hart in Hartley Wintney. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription, or a promise of outcome. If you have sudden, severe or unexplained symptoms — including chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night pain, bowel or bladder changes, or a new neurological problem — seek urgent medical advice (NHS 111 or 999). UK osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Counsellors named here are BACP-registered where stated. Always check with your GP or insurer if you are unsure whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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