Radiating leg nerve pain can be caused by a variety of issues, including muscle strain, disc injury and joint dysfunction. In the vast majority of cases, the problem is related to the lower back - even if you have no back pain at all! 

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The strict definition of sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the nerve root as it exits the spinal canal. However, you can also get nerve pain down your leg from other areas - not sciatica strictly speaking - but treated in a similar way.

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The vast majority of sciatica cases are not serious, however, if you experience any of the following symptoms then please visit A&E immediately because they can be a sign of spinal cord compression:

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Unable to control bladder or bowel

Numbness across both buttocks / genitals

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Even if the pain in the buttock/leg is very severe, there is a very good chance that this will be temporary. It does not mean that you have injured yourself severely. Nerve pain can be extremely acute - think about toothache - but it does not mean that there is a lot of damage.

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General Advice

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Try to adopt comfortable positions, but keep moving in short bursts.

Take over the counter painkillers if you are able - but they are only likely to take the edge of the pain away.

Use heat or heat rubs on the lower back (even if you have no lower back pain)

Using rubs on the leg where you feel the pain will not help much at all.

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At Honiton Physiotherapy we are experts in diagnosing where the problem is coming from, and offer treatment solutions which get results very quickly.