The short explanation
Pain that travels from the back down one leg, often below the knee and into the foot with tingling or numbness, is called sciatica. It happens when the sciatic nerve, or the nerve roots that form it, are irritated, often by a slipped or bulging disc in the lower back. It can be very painful, but many people improve over some weeks. Staying as active as you can, short walks, gentle stretches and avoiding long bed rest usually help. A clinician can advise on pain relief and exercises. Most people do not need surgery.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- How long it lasts, how severe it is and whether there is weakness in the leg affect what is done next. A scan is usually not needed at first unless symptoms are severe, getting worse or not improving.
- Heavy lifting, bending and twisting, especially when combined, are common triggers. Learning to lift by bending your knees and keeping loads close helps prevent repeat episodes.
- A physiotherapist can guide exercises to help recovery.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot confirm whether a nerve is being pressed or why. That needs an examination and sometimes a scan.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Does this sound like sciatica?
- Do I need a scan now, or only if it does not improve?
- Which exercises and activities are suitable?
- What signs should make me come back urgently?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have numbness around the genitals or bottom, loss of bladder or bowel control, or weakness in both legs.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if your foot becomes weak, you cannot lift it, or the pain is uncontrolled.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if the pain is severe or not improving.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if symptoms last more than a few weeks.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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