Bromley Sciatica Treatment

Sciatica is a painful and debilitating condition that can affect anyone, and potentially last for years without the right treatment. We are experts at diagnosing and treating sciatica, helping you to regain your quality of life and move forward pain-free.

We are an osteopathic clinic in Bromley, incorporating a range of physical therapy treatments including osteopathy, dry needling (acupuncture), sports massage and laser therapy. Booking at our Bromley clinic is quick and simple using our online system.

If you have questions about sciatica or our treatments, you can also book a free 15-minute in-person or telephone consultation, during which one of our expert practitioners will be happy to give you any advice and information you need.

woman suffering from sciatica pain

"Oliver has helped to reduce my chronic low back pain significantly! He is really knowledgeable, explains your difficulties well, and gives you helpful advice. I'm pleased to say that the effects have been long-term, and would recommend him to anyone."

Pooja, Bromley

"My mum woke up one morning with crippling back and leg pain and Oliver squeezed her in for an appointment at short notice. I'm pleased to say just over a month later, mum is happily walking around again and just in time for our holiday too. Oliver was very professional, kind and compassionate. We can't recommend him enough, thank you so much!"

Elise, Google Review

"Robert was extremely professional, kind and knowledgeable. I got a brilliant treatment with my first session and excellent exercises to practise at home. I highly recommend Robert."

Alicia, Google Review

"I have been seeing Oliver for a year now since I started getting difficulties with my neck and I have not regretted this one bit. He has encyclopaedic knowledge about his field and a great passion for what he does. He always explains what he is doing and he is so well researched and up to date on the different methodologies used. 1 year on and I feel more confident and pain free. Thank you Oliver!"

Hasti, Google Review

"I've been treated by Oliver for years for neck, back and calf tension. Very effective treatment. Recommended him to my mum who was also impressed and sees Oliver regularly now. Recently she had a course of acupuncture and was very pleased with the results. Recommended."

Sophia, Google Review

"It had been recommended to me to see an Osteopath and was very happy to locate one close by. I’m so glad to have met Oliver who has literally given me my life back by sorting out my back pain in as little as three sessions! I have never felt so much better and have exercises that I can do myself at home. Oliver is a lovely person and always enjoyed our chats during the sessions."

Nicky, Google Review

Diagram of sciatic nerve in body

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the name given to any problem affecting the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is one of the longest in the body, originating in the lower spine where nerves exit the spinal cord at various places before converging to form one nerve. The sciatic nerve runs down through the hip and along the back of the leg and thigh, terminating in the foot. It is responsible for most of the movements of the lower body, such as walking, standing, running and so on.

Sciatica generally occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, causing false and often painful signals to arise in the nerve. Typically, this is due to the nerve becoming trapped between two vertebrae in the lower spine, often as a result of a herniated (slipped) disc.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Because sciatica affects a nerve, the symptoms can vary immensely from one person to the next. They could be anything from a numbness or tingling, through to a shooting pain or a feeling like an electric shock. The intensity of sciatic pain is also highly variable, from an occasional and very mild feeling, to intense and debilitating pain which won’t go away.

It may be that sciatic pain accompanies certain movements, for example twisting or bending a certain way. This means that particular movement is causing the sciatic nerve to become pinched. If you find that sciatica occurs only or mainly during a certain movement, your osteopath will use this information to help diagnose exactly where in the spine the problem is occurring.

“Sciatica is a scary and potentially debilitating condition. However, in most cases the pain is simply caused by a misalignment of the vertebrae in the lower spine which can be easily repaired or managed with osteopathy. If you think you’re experiencing sciatic pain, please don’t suffer in silence. Reach out and let one of our experts help.”

Oliver Hicks M.Ost, Clinic owner

Oliver Hicks, Osteopath, Hicks Health

How is sciatica diagnosed?

There is no test for sciatica beyond looking at your symptoms and the function of your body and making a diagnosis based on observing these factors. Your osteopath or other physical therapy specialist will ask you to explain when and how you experience pain. They will usually then ask you to perform various movements such as sitting, squatting, or lifting a leg whilst laying down, testing the strength and function of your lower body under various conditions.

Alongside these movement tests, your practitioner will also typically use palpation - a highly developed sense of touch - to feel for any abnormalities in muscle quality or spinal structure. They will also assess factors like your posture and gait, and your general bodily and skeletal alignment.

Osteopath performing test for sciatica on patient

What treatments are available for sciatica?

Various treatments are available for sciatica depending on the nature and severity of the condition. Some people take over-the-counter painkillers or are prescribed painkilling medication by their GP. GPs will also typically refer sciatica patients to a musculoskeletal specialist such as an osteopath or physiotherapist, although NHS wait times are long and it can be difficult to get an adequate number of treatments.

In extreme cases more interventionary treatment may be required by a doctor. These may include painkilling injections, or in rare cases an operation to seal off or disconnect certain nerves or to decompress the vertebrae.

Our Bromley Clinic

Our Bromley Clinic is conveniently situated in a peaceful location in South Bromley. We offer a range of treatments including osteopathy, sports massage, pregnancy massage and acupuncture, and our helpful staff are on hand to give you any advice you require.

You can find all the information you need for your visit, including parking, public transport and accessibility, on our Bromley clinic information page.

Osteopath pointing at model of lower spine near sciatic nerve

Treating sciatica with osteopathy

Where possible, treating sciatica with physical therapies such as osteopathy is vastly preferable. Painkilling treatment simply masks the problem rather than fixing it. Surgical intervention involves a potentially painful, scary and disruptive procedure and, like all surgery, carries its own risks.

Physical therapy and osteopathic treatment are different in that they deal with the problem at its root, by diagnosing exactly where the nerve is becoming pinched, and realigning the spine or carrying out other treatment to allow it to function without impediment. No invasive procedures or drugs are required, the body is simply adjusted to work more naturally and freely.

Osteopaths use a range of techniques to achieve this. Typically, we may use spinal alignment techniques to ‘click’ the spine back into better alignment or realign a slipped disc, removing any impingement on the nerve which is causing pain. We also use mobilisation, massage, stretching and dry needling (acupuncture) to help loosen tight muscles and allow the vertebrae to move freely and naturally.

Your first appointment for sciatica

At your first appointment, your osteopath will ask you to explain your symptoms and carry out an examination of any painful areas. They will normally ask you to perform certain movements or test different types of strength in your legs and lower body, for example by asking you to push your foot against their hand whilst laying down. They will also assess your overall bodily alignment, posture and biomechanics. Initial appointments last 45 minutes, giving plenty of time to understand your problem and diagnose the root cause.

Once the examination is complete you will normally receive treatment straight away. Most people notice an improvement from their first session. We will also give you an indication of whether further treatment sessions will be required, and if so how many. Should further diagnostic tests be required - such as X-rays - then we will refer you to the appropriate service, however this is not normally necessary.

Book an Appointment

Booking is easy using our online system, or call us on 0208 088 0442  and our expert staff will be happy to help. There are no long wait times and appointments are usually available within 24-48 hours.

To discuss your symptoms and the best treatment for you, a free 15-minute telephone or in-person chat is also available.

This page was reviewed by Oliver Hicks M.Ost on the 14th December 2023