Pyramid Health

There's no single "sciatica treatment" that's right for everyone.

Two people can walk in with pain down the leg and need completely different plans — one a genuinely irritated nerve, the other a cranky hip or a tight buttock muscle doing a great impression of sciatica. So we assess first, then build a plan from the right two or three approaches — not the whole menu.

The bonus of a mixed team under one roof at Pyramid Health? We can match the treatment to the person, rather than forcing the person to fit the treatment.

How we actually do it 👉 pyramidhealth.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-with-a-problem-like-sciatica

Almost all sciatica is not dangerous and settles with the right care. But there's a small handful of symptoms that need urgent medical attention rather than "wait and see" — and they're worth knowing.

Seek urgent advice (GP, NHS 111, or A&E) if you develop:
• Numbness around the saddle area (inner thighs, ge****ls, back passage)
• Loss of control of your bladder or bowels
• Leg weakness that's clearly getting worse, especially in both legs
• Severe, rapidly worsening symptoms, or feeling generally unwell

These are uncommon — we're sharing them so you can act quickly in the rare case they appear. If in doubt, get checked. It's always the right call.

"Should I rest my sciatica or keep moving?"

We get asked this constantly, and the honest answer surprises people: gentle movement almost always beats bed rest. Lying still for days tends to make an irritated nerve MORE sensitive, not less.

That doesn't mean pushing through agony. It means staying as active as your symptoms sensibly allow, finding the positions that ease things off, and building back up gradually. We'll help you find that line.

(And no — most people don't need a scan straight away. A good assessment usually tells us what we need to know.)

Call 01395 911493 · book online at pyramidhealth.co.uk/book-now

Not every pain down the leg is sciatica.

Plenty of things do a very convincing impression of it — and they need completely different treatment:

• Tight deep buttock muscles (the "piriformis" type)
• The hip joint
• The sacroiliac joint (where your pelvis meets your spine)
• Referred pain from the lower back itself

This is exactly why we assess before we treat. "Stubborn sciatica that won't shift" is very often a plan aimed at the wrong target — get the target right and the rest gets much easier.

More in our guide 👉 pyramidhealth.co.uk/blog/condition-of-the-month-sciatica

This month we're doing something new — picking one condition and really getting into it. First up: Sciatica

Here's the bit most people don't realise: sciatica isn't actually a diagnosis. It's a symptom — pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, the biggest nerve in your body (about as thick as your thumb where it starts). When that nerve gets irritated, you can feel it anywhere from your back and buttock right down the leg.

The most important thing to hold onto? Nerves can be sensitive without being permanently damaged. Most people get better.

We've written a plain-English guide to what's really going on 👉
pyramidhealth.co.uk/blog/condition-of-the-month-sciatica

(And keep an eye out — we're running a FREE sciatica screening on Sat 22 August. 👀)

Pregnant and want to stay active safely? Yasmin can help.

Shoulder or old injury playing up? Let's assess it.

Tired and achy? Abi's massage offer (ABI20) runs till 31 July.

We treat the person in front of us, not just the problem — and we'll always work out a plan together.

Call 01395 911493 or book online

Last orders on Abi's massage offer!

Our new Sports Therapist Abi is offering 20% off a massage with code ABI20 — but it ends 31 July, so now's the time to book in.

Tight shoulders, tired legs, or you just fancy some recovery time — it's a lovely way to look after yourself before summer properly kicks off.

Call 01395 911493 to book now

Fancy a treat that's also good for you?

To celebrate Abi joining us, you can get 20% off a massage with her using code ABI20 - valid until 31 July.

Great for easing tight shoulders from desk work, settling tired legs, or just giving your body some well-earned recovery time.

Call 01395 911493 or book online. Offer ends 31 July

Not sure if you need treatment, or just want a professional opinion?

To welcome Abi to the team, she's offering a free 30-minute rehab assessment — a no-pressure chance to talk through your aches, get hands-on input, and find out what would actually help.

Bring the shoulder, knee or back that's been bugging you for months. We'll work out a plan together.

Email [email protected] to book your slot

So what does a Sports Therapist actually do?

It's not only for athletes, and it's not only massage. Abi assesses how you move, finds where things have gone wrong, and builds a rehab plan to get you back to what you enjoy, whether that's running, lifting, gardening or keeping up with the grandkids.

If you've got a ni**le that won't settle, or you're coming back from injury and not sure what's safe to do.

Call 01395 911493 or book online to see Abi on a Friday