Back Pain is a very common medical problem which affects people of all ages, especially people who reach middle-age or above. Majority of back pain do not have a definite cause, though Intervertebral Disc Herniation and Disc Degeneration can explain many of these cases. Other possible causes of back pain include Lumbar Muscle Strain, Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), Spondylolisthesis (forward slipping of vertebra) and Spondylosis (arthritis of the back).

If symptoms do not localize at the low back region but radiate down to the buttocks, legs, and feet, which include tingling, numbness, or pain, Sciatica would probably be the cause. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylosis or spondylolisthesis which irritate or press on the sciatic nerve (the main nerve travelling down the leg, which first branches from the nerve roots at the lumbar and sacral areas, threads through the pelvis and goes into either side of the buttocks, then passes down each hip and along the back of each thigh to the foot) can cause these symptoms.

Pain due to Sciatica can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to cause difficulty in daily functional activities like walking, bending the back and turn in bed. The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have mixed symptoms, e.g. sharp pain in one part of the leg and numbness in other parts. The affected leg may feel weak too.

Sciatica pain usually has a gradual onset but goes away within 6 weeks. Pain that lasts longer than 1 month, or gets worse with sitting, coughing, sneezing, or straining may indicated a longer recovery.

As early treatment can result in better prognosis of back pain and sciatica, medical consultation is strongly advised within a few days following the onset of symptoms. Medications for reducing inflammatory response, pain, and muscle relaxation usually have favourable outcome. Physiotherapy is essential for symptom relief, functional improvement and recurrence prevention. For example, Manual Therapy and Traction can relieve the pressure on the spinal cord and nerve root at the lumbar spine. Other forms of Electrophysical Therapy can alleviate the pain and inflammation at the concerned area. Also a tailor-made mobility and strengthening Exercise Therapy program can improve the range of motion and control of back muscles. If back pain and sciatica pain do not subside after 1 year of physiotherapy, operation may be considered.