What it is
A short, honest summary.
- —Radiculopathy is irritation or compression of a nerve root where it leaves the spine; sciatica is the term when the sciatic nerve's roots are involved.
- —Common causes include a disc bulge, age-related narrowing, or posture and muscle-related strain.
- —Pain, tingling or weakness follows the path of the affected nerve — often down the leg, or down the arm in the neck.
What families notice
The signals worth taking seriously.
- 01Pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg
- 02Tingling, burning, or numbness following a clear line down the limb
- 03Pain made worse by sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing
- 04Weakness in the foot or leg — or in the hand, for neck-related cases
- 05Relief in certain positions and sharp aggravation in others
My approach
How the work is structured.
- —Assessment to confirm the level involved and rule out signs that need urgent referral.
- —Movement and positioning that take pressure off the nerve and calm the pain.
- —Graded strengthening of the core, hips and supporting muscles.
- —Posture, lifting and workstation education to prevent the next episode.
What recovery looks like
A plain-language picture.
“The large majority of sciatica and radiculopathy settles within weeks to a few months with graded rehabilitation — and the right exercises markedly lower the chance of it returning.”
FAQ
Common questions, answered briefly.
- Do I need an MRI or surgery?
- Usually neither. Most nerve-root pain settles with rehabilitation. Imaging and surgical opinion are reserved for cases with progressive weakness or red-flag signs.
- Should I rest in bed until it stops hurting?
- No — prolonged bed rest slows recovery. Gentle, graded movement within comfortable limits is what calms an irritated nerve fastest.
For clinicians
Clinical detail, assessment and evidence.
Clinical summary
The picture in clinician register.
Radiculopathy is nerve-root irritation or compression — most commonly from disc herniation or foraminal stenosis — producing dermatomal and myotomal symptoms. The large majority settles with graded rehabilitation; imaging and surgical opinion are reserved for progressive neurological deficit or red-flag presentations.
Terminology
Terms worth being precise about.
- Radiculopathy
- Symptoms from irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root.
- Dermatome / myotome
- The skin area and muscle group supplied by a given root — they localise the level.
- Centralisation
- Symptoms retreating proximally with a directional preference — a good prognostic sign.
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Compression of the cauda equina — a surgical emergency.
Assessment & measures
What the first sessions measure.
- —Neurological examination — myotomes, dermatomes, reflexes.
- —Neurodynamic tests (straight-leg raise, slump).
- —Directional-preference assessment; functional and pain measures.
Red flags
Signs that need urgent escalation.
- Cauda equina features — bilateral sciatica, saddle anaesthesia, bladder or bowel dysfunction — a surgical emergency.
- Progressive motor weakness.
- Suspicion of malignancy or infection.
Referral & MDT
When and to whom to refer.
Emergency referral for suspected cauda equina syndrome. Spinal surgery for a progressive deficit; otherwise managed conservatively.
Evidence
References and guideline anchors.
- Graded rehabilitation for lumbar radiculopathy — PLACEHOLDER — verify against current guidelines before launch.