Musculoskeletal pain

Sciatica in Singapore: symptoms, causes and treatment

Name: Sciatica in Singapore: symptoms, causes and treatment
Creator: Dr Christopher Liu

Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness. It is usually caused by an irritated or compressed nerve, most often in the lower back but sometimes in the buttock, and it often improves over time. A pain specialist can find the cause and plan treatment with you.

At a glance

Common signsPain from the lower back or buttock down one leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg or foot.

See a specialist ifPain has lasted more than a couple of weeks, is getting worse, or is limiting your work or sleep.

What may helpStaying active, guided exercise, pain relief and, for persistent pain, an epidural steroid injection.

Written and reviewed by Dr Christopher Liu, Pain PhysicianLast reviewed: 3 November 2026About Dr Liu

What is sciatica, and how does it feel?

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes as far as the foot. It is a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and it usually means that a nerve root in the lower back is irritated or compressed.¹

Typical features include:

pain in the buttock or leg, usually on one side, that can feel sharp, burning or like an electric shock
tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
weakness in the leg or foot
pain that is worse when sitting, coughing or sneezing

You may or may not have back pain as well.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is most often caused by a problem in the spine, such as a slipped disc or narrowing of the spinal canal, that compresses or irritates a nerve root. In some patients, though, it can originate from outside the spine.¹

Slipped disc (disc herniation). Part of the gel-like core of a spinal disc bulges or ruptures through its tougher outer layer and compresses a nearby nerve root. This is the most common cause. The leg pain is often more troublesome than the back pain.
Spinal stenosis. The space around the nerves in the spine narrows with age-related wear, which can cause leg pain or heaviness when you stand or walk, eased by sitting or bending forward.
Spondylolisthesis. One vertebra slips forward over the one below it and can narrow the space for the nerve root.
Piriformis syndrome (nerve entrapment). The piriformis is a muscle deep in the buttock, and the sciatic nerve runs close to it. If the muscle is tight, irritated or in spasm, it may compress the nerve and cause buttock pain with leg symptoms, often worse after prolonged sitting. Because the problem is in the buttock rather than the spine, an MRI of the back can look normal.
Other causes outside the spine. Less often, the sciatic nerve or its roots are affected along their path through the pelvis, buttock or leg. Examples include endometriosis involving the nerve, a nerve sheath tumour such as a schwannoma (usually benign), or a problem in the hip or pelvis. These are less common, but they are worth looking for if your symptoms do not fit a spinal cause, or if your spine scan does not explain them.

Back pain alongside sciatica is common. Read more on our back pain page. Working out where the nerve is being irritated is the first step in choosing treatment.

Back pain without leg symptoms is also common. See our article on causes of lower back pain in men.

When should you see a pain specialist?

Consider an assessment if:

leg pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks
your pain is getting worse or waking you at night
you have numbness, or weakness in your leg or foot, especially if it is getting worse
pain is affecting your work, exercise or sleep
medicines and physiotherapy have not given you enough relief

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with your history and an examination. Your doctor will check how you move, the strength and feeling in your legs, your reflexes, and whether lifting your straight leg brings on the pain. Not everyone needs a scan. If your symptoms are persistent, or a procedure is being planned, an MRI can show the discs and nerves. Scan changes are common in people with no pain, so findings are read together with your symptoms and examination.

How is it treated?

Most sciatica improves over time with simple measures.¹ Treatment usually follows steps, moving to other options if symptoms persist.

Stay active. Gentle movement and walking are usually better than bed rest. Avoid activities that clearly worsen the pain for a short time.
Guided exercise, usually with a physiotherapist, to keep your back and legs moving and to build strength.
Pain medicines, including medicines for nerve pain, used as advised by your doctor.
Epidural steroid injection. Steroid is placed close to the irritated nerve root to reduce inflammation and pain, which can help you get on with exercise and daily activities.
Intradiscal procedures may be considered for selected people whose pain comes from a disc.
Surgery is considered for a small number of people, for example when weakness is getting worse or severe pain does not settle with other treatment.

Visit our services page to find out more.

What to expect at your visit

At your consultation, Dr Liu will ask about your symptoms, your work and daily activities, and your medical history, and examine your back and legs. He will explain what he finds, discuss whether any tests would help, and go through your treatment options, including their benefits, limits and risks, so that you can decide what suits you.

Dr Christopher Liu, Pain Physician

MOH accredited Pain Specialist and Medical Director of Alleviate Pain Clinic at Farrer Park Hospital. He completed an interventional pain fellowship at the University Health Network in Toronto and was previously a Senior Consultant in Pain Medicine at Singapore General Hospital.

Related conditions

Disc herniationCauses and treatment Back painCauses and treatment Epidural steroid injectionsTreatment for back and leg pain

References

NHS. Sciatica. nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica

This page gives general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms and treatment options.

Common questions

Is sciatica the same as back pain?

No. Back pain is felt in the back. Sciatica is pain that travels from the back or buttock down the leg, often with tingling, numbness or weakness. They can occur together, and some people have sciatica without much back pain.

How long does sciatica last?

Many people improve over weeks, and some take longer. See someone if your pain is getting worse or has not improved after a couple of weeks.

Should I rest if I have sciatica?

Staying gently active is usually better than prolonged bed rest. Avoid anything that clearly makes the pain worse for a short time, and ask your doctor about exercises that suit you.

Do I need an MRI scan?

Not always. Many people are diagnosed from history and examination. A scan may help if symptoms are persistent, if a procedure is planned, or if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Does insurance cover interventional pain treatments in Singapore?

Interventional pain procedures are covered by the Ministry of Health's Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). They are therefore reimbursable by all Integrated Shield Plans and most corporate insurance plans. However, it is advisable to obtain preauthorisation from your insurer before the procedure. Our clinic staff will guide you through this process.