--- title: "Sciatica Treatment in Haslemere, Surrey" description: "Physiotherapy for sciatica in Haslemere. Assessment, treatment and an honest account of how long nerve related leg pain takes to settle." canonical: "https://healthflex.co.uk/services/sciatica" --- ![Woman supports another person's bent knee while they lie on a treatment table in a bright room](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-sciatica.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790157212124&w=3840&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Back and neck conditions # Sciatica £62–£72 30–45 mins [Book online](https://healthflex.connect.tm3app.com/book/physiotherapy) Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, so **the defining feature is that it travels**. Typically into the buttock, down the back of the thigh and sometimes past the knee into the calf or foot, often with pins and needles, numbness or a feeling of weakness. Back pain that stays in your back is a different problem needing different treatment, and telling the two apart properly is the first useful thing an assessment does. ## How long does sciatica last Longer than most people are told, and shorter than it feels while you are in it. Many cases improve substantially over **several weeks to a few months**, and most settle without surgery. Where a disc is pressing on the nerve, the disc itself frequently reduces over time. That is genuinely reassuring, and it is also why patience is part of the treatment. ## What treatment involves Settling the nerve irritation first, which usually means finding the positions and movements that ease it rather than aggravate it, and often means changing what you have instinctively started doing. Then restoring movement, then strength. We will be honest about the pace, because **sciatica does not respond well to being rushed**. Medication is worth discussing with your GP alongside physiotherapy. **NICE advises against gabapentinoids for sciatica**, so if you have been offered something and are unsure, that is a conversation to have with them rather than with us. ## When it needs urgent attention **Numbness around the saddle area, difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel, or weakness in both legs is an emergency** and needs hospital assessment the same day. Progressive weakness in one leg, such as a foot you cannot lift properly, should be seen promptly. [Book online](https://healthflex.connect.tm3app.com/book/physiotherapy) ## Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if it is sciatica? Sciatica travels. The pain runs from the back or buttock down the back of the thigh, sometimes below the knee, and often comes with pins and needles, numbness or a feeling of weakness. Pain that stays in the back itself is not sciatica and needs different treatment. How long does sciatica take to get better? Many cases improve substantially over several weeks to a few months, and the majority settle without surgery. Where a disc is pressing on the nerve, the disc itself commonly reduces over time. It does not respond well to being rushed, which is why we are honest about the pace at the start. When is sciatica an emergency? Numbness around the saddle area, difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel, or weakness in both legs needs hospital assessment the same day. Progressive weakness in one leg, such as being unable to lift your foot properly, should be seen promptly. [Book online](https://healthflex.connect.tm3app.com/book/physiotherapy) ## Available Team Members These team members perform this service - ![Martin Dyer, physiotherapist and director of Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Martin Dyer, physiotherapist and director of Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. He has swept back dark hair greying at the sides and a warm, closed mouth smile, and wears a pale pink striped shirt with a pink and blue striped tie. The background is a blurred garden of autumn shrubs and trees.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-martin-dyer-physiotherapist-director-haslemere-48x59.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790158917409&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Martin Dyer Physiotherapist and Director [View](/team-members/martin-dyer) - ![Anneke Webb, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Anneke Webb, physiotherapist at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has long straight fair hair and is smiling at the camera, wearing a white Healthflex Physical Therapy Centres polo shirt. Behind her, out of focus, are a green playing field, a wooden rail fence and autumn trees under a cloudy sky.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-anneke-webb-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x53.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790158550952&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Anneke Webb Physiotherapist [View](/team-members/anneke-webb) - ![Phillipa Frankland, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Phillipa Frankland, physiotherapist at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has long straight light brown hair and a wide, friendly smile, and wears a navy zip neck fleece. Behind her, out of focus, are a yellow green hedge and trees under a pale sky.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-phillipa-frankland-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x61.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790159136941&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Phillipa Frankland Physiotherapist [View](/team-members/phillipa-frankland) - ![Nick Thornhill, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Close head and shoulders portrait of Nick Thornhill, physiotherapist at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. He has short dark hair and a full dark beard flecked with grey, with a relaxed closed mouth smile, and wears a navy polo shirt. Behind him is soft green foliage under a pale sky.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2FNick%2520Thornhill-48x57.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790159610604&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Nick Thornhill Physiotherapist [View](/team-members/nick-thornhill) Show more team members - ![Theika Botterill, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Theika Botterill, physiotherapist specialising in sports and musculoskeletal care at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has brown hair tied back and a wide, beaming smile, and wears a pink Healthflex polo shirt. The background is a blurred autumn hedge under a pale sky.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-theika-botterill-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x60.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790159715633&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Theika Botterill Physiotherapist, sports and musculoskeletal [View](/team-members/theika-botterill) - ![Gill Onslow, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Gill Onslow, physiotherapist at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has wavy light brown hair with a fringe and a gentle smile, and wears a pink polo shirt under a navy V neck jumper. The background is a soft, bright blur of green garden foliage.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-gill-onslow-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x72.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790158706868&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Gill Onslow Physiotherapist [View](/team-members/gill-onslow) - ![Imogen Scott-Plumber, physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Imogen Scott-Plumber, physiotherapist specialising in sports injury and rehabilitation at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has fair hair tied back and a relaxed smile, and wears a navy polo shirt. Behind her is a dense green hedge, softly out of focus.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-imogen-scott-plumber-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x57.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790159848262&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Imogen Scott-Plumber Physiotherapist | Sports Injury & Rehabilitation | Performance [View](/team-members/imogen-scott-plumber) - ![Kathryn Lewis, neurological physiotherapist at Healthflex in Haslemere Description: Head and shoulders portrait of Kathryn Lewis, physiotherapist specialising in adult neurological rehabilitation at Healthflex, The Edge, Haslemere. She has shoulder length dark brown hair lit by sunshine and a broad smile, and wears a white Healthflex polo shirt. Behind her is dark green foliage, softly out of focus.](/_next/image?url=%2Fapi%2Fmedia%2Ffile%2Fhealthflex-kathryn-lewis-neurological-physiotherapist-haslemere-48x71.jpg%3Fprefix%3Dtenants%252F6a993819fabdf5583928bbf1%26v%3D1790158869397&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_FWxsgCyzDSRxWHosZK98qVgRxgBw) Kathryn Lewis Physiotherapist, adult neurological rehabilitation [View](/team-members/kathryn-lewis) ## Related Services Complete your experience with these services - Back and neck physiotherapy £62–£72•30–45 mins [View](/services/back-and-neck-physiotherapy) - Musculoskeletal physiotherapy £62–£72•30–45 mins [View](/services/musculoskeletal-physiotherapy)