SCIATICA

Sciatica is a common condition in Singapore, often linked to our modern lifestyle, including long hours of sitting, improper lifting, or simply age-related changes in the spine. The condition results in pain that radiates from the lower back/buttocks down the leg.

Your spine and legs are connected by the sciatic nerve, which is the body’s longest and thickest nerve. This nerve travels from your lower back, through your hip, and down each leg, making it a crucial yet vutlnerable pathway prone to strain and discomfort.

At Singapore Paincare, our pain specialists provide minimally-invasive treatments that relieve pain safely and effectively—offering an alternative to long-term medication or surgery, often with little to no downtime. Our goal is to help you get back to your daily life with comfort and confidence.

What Are The Causes Of Sciatica?

Sciatica can come from many different factors, ranging from external nerve irritation to direct compression within the spine. Different conditions can cause irritation, pinching, or compression to the sciatic nerve:

Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc)

When the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through the tough exterior, pressing directly on the sciatic nerve root.

Spinal Stenosis

A general narrowing of the spinal canal, which reduces the space for the spinal cord and nerves.

Spondylolisthesis

A condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, pinching the nerve.

Trauma

Direct injury to the spine or pelvis that damages or compresses the nerve.

Pregnancy

The growing uterus and hormonal changes can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

A person is at greater risk of developing sciatica if they are overweight, smoke, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have had a recent back or spinal injury, or suffer from conditions such as diabetes or osteoarthritis, all of which can increase pressure on or irritation of the sciatic nerve.

What Are The Types Of Sciatica?

Sciatica is categorized by the source of the nerve issue:

Spinal Nerve Impingement Syndrome

This type accounts for about 70% of cases and originates in the lumbar spine, often due to disc herniation or bony changes compressing the nerve roots. Pain usually worsens with standing, walking, or movement.

Nerve Irritation from Outside the Spine

This form makes up around 30% of cases and commonly arises from structures outside the spine, such as the piriformis muscle in the buttock. Symptoms can feel similar to spinal sciatica, but the underlying cause and therefore the treatment needs to be different.

What Are The Symptoms Of Sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, daily limitations. If your pain persists, worsens, or restricts your ability to perform simple actions, it's best to have it assessed by a specialist.

Pain: Moderate to severe pain in the lower back, buttocks, and leg. May worsen with movement.
Numbness or Weakness: May occur in the lower back, buttocks, leg, or feet.
Other symptoms: Other symptoms include incontinence and paraesthesia (pins and needles) in their legs, toes or feet.

What Are The Treatment Options For Sciatica in Singapore?

Conservative Treatments

If your sciatica is mild, you will benefit from conservative treatments, including:

Pharmacotherapy: Includes NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications to improve pain.
Physical Rehabilitative Therapies: Physiotherapists can help alleviate pain by using physical therapies to strengthen the supportive muscles and restore mobilirt and muscle function.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If your nerve discomfort has been persistent or more severe, minimally invasive treatments can address the exact source without the need for open surgery. At Singapore Paincare, we offer precise procedures designed to relieve pain at its origin.

Coreflex Injections

Uses a mix of local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxant injected directly to break the pain cycle, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Disc Ablation

A specialised radiofrequency or ablation treatment applied via a needle to shrink a herniated disc component that is pressing on the nerve.

Neuroplasty

A balloon catheter is used to mechanically dilate the compressed spinal canal, break free adhesions, and free the entrapped nerve.

Surgical Options

Our specialist will discuss with you whether your sciatica requires surgery. Before recommending any surgical option, a specialist will review detailed scans of your spine to understand the exact cause. They will then discuss whether surgery is necessary and explain the potential benefits and risks. Generally, surgery may be recommended if your related causes of sciatica, such as a large herniated disc or severe spinal stenosis, require repair, or in severe, unresponsive cases.

Microdiscectomy: A minimally invasive procedure to remove fragments from a herniated disk that are pressing on the nerve.
Laminectomy: Removal of the lamina (part of the vertebral bone) that is causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.

How Singapore Paincare Treats Sciatica?

At Singapore Paincare, our pain specialists use the proprietary Painostic® method, developed from years of clinical experience, to accurately determine whether your sciatica originates from spinal nerve compression or irritation outside the spine. This in-house approach goes beyond standard assessment to identify the true source of your sciatic nerve pain and map treatment pathways tailored specifically to your condition.

We focus on the least invasive options first, including targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures aimed at relieving sciatic nerve irritation, often supported by medication and physical or cognitive rehabilitation. Even in complex or persistent sciatica cases, this integrated approach helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of recurrence.

How Can I Prevent Sciatica?

Some causes of sciatica may not be preventable. However, you can follow these tips to protect your back:

Getting plenty of rest
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a good posture
Maintaining a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Opt for low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, yoga or tai chi

A Message About Sciatica from Our Pain Specialist

Sciatica may start as a simple ache in the buttock or leg, but if ignored, it can affect how you move, sleep, and concentrate. Everyday factors like long hours of sitting, poor posture, spinal stenosis, muscle tightness, or pregnancy can trigger it. If left untreated, the nerve could become stiff, and pain, tingling, or weakness could spread down the entire leg.

Many people assume the issue is always a "slipped disc" requiring major surgery. In reality, tight muscles (Piriformis Syndrome), minor spinal narrowing (stenosis), or inflamed ligaments are often the real cause. That's why the first step is always to find out exactly where your pain comes from.

At Singapore Paincare, our Painostic® method goes beyond treating symptoms. We identify the real source of discomfort and build an individualized, minimally invasive plan—so you can move comfortably and confidently again.