Reviewed by Dr Christopher Liu, Pain Physician · Last reviewed 2 November 2026
Leg pain that starts in your back can be hard to ignore. It can make sitting, sleeping and walking uncomfortable. Many people call it sciatica. Here is what that word usually means, what can cause it and what we can offer when it does not settle on its own. At Alleviate Pain Clinic, a specialised pain centre at Farrer Park Hospital, we offer sciatica treatment in Singapore with a focus on non-surgical options that get you moving again.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down into the leg. This occurs when the sciatic nerve or the nerve root supplying the sciatic nerve is inflamed, compressed or trapped. Patients with sciatica often describe the pain as being sharp, burning or electric, and is usually on one side.
What can cause it?
The most common cause of Sciatica is a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root. Narrowing of the spinal canal and other changes in the spine can also irritate the nerve. Working out which one applies to you matters, because it helps decide which treatment makes sense. Our page on disc herniation explains disc-herniation related sciatica in more detail.
What does it feel like?
- Pain in the buttock or leg, sometimes worse than any back pain
- Burning, tingling or pins and needles in the leg or foot
- Pain that changes with sitting, standing or coughing
- Sometimes weakness or numbness in the leg
How we find out what is going on
We start by listening to your story and examining you. Scans such as MRI may be used when they will help guide treatment. We explain each step, so you know why it is being done.
What can help?
The right plan depends on your symptoms, your scans and how long the pain has lasted.
- Staying active and guided exercise. Gentle walking is usually better than prolonged rest, and a physiotherapist can guide you.
- Medicines. These can ease pain and nerve irritation, and we review them with you.
- Epidural steroid injections. An anti-inflammatory medicine is placed near the irritated nerve under imaging guidance. In the right patient, this can be very helpful in reducing sciatica symptoms and makes it easier to get back to exercise. See our epidural steroid injection page.
- Nucleoplasty. When a bulging disc is pressing on a nerve and other treatments have not helped, nucleoplasty may be considered for selected people. A needle is guided into the disc under X-ray to shrink a small part of the bulging centre, which can ease the pressure on the nerve and relieve the leg pain that goes with it. See our intradiscal procedures page.
- Surgery may be required for selected people, and we will talk it through with you if it becomes relevant.
Looking after your back day to day
Keep moving as comfortably as you can, and change position often during long periods of sitting. Our pages on back pain and nerve pain have more ideas.
Why choose Alleviate Pain Clinic for sciatica
- A specialised pain centre focused on non-surgical treatment
- Image-guided injections and minimally invasive procedures
- A multidisciplinary approach to back and leg pain
- Our staff help you with insurance pre-authorisation
- Conveniently located at Farrer Park Hospital
Talk to us
If leg pain from your back is getting in the way of your life, book a consultation at Alleviate Pain Clinic, Farrer Park Hospital. Call us on 8655 5722 or WhatsApp us and our team will help you arrange a visit.
FAQs
What is sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down into the leg. It happens when the sciatic nerve, or a nerve root that forms it, is inflamed, compressed or trapped.
Is sciatica the same as a slipped disc?
Not always. A disc pressing on a nerve root is a common cause, but sciatica can also come from narrowing of the spinal canal or other changes in the spine. Finding the cause helps us choose the right treatment.
What treatments are available for sciatica?
Options include staying active, guided exercise, medicines, image-guided epidural steroid injections and, for selected people whose sciatica is caused by a bulging disc, nucleoplasty. We explain what each involves and recommend a plan that suits you.
Can an epidural steroid injection help sciatica?
Yes. In the right patient, epidural steroid injection can be very helpful in reducing sciatica symptoms.
Do pain medications help sciatica?
Pain medications can be helpful for sciatica. However, not everyone will experience sufficient pain relief with medications alone. During your consultation, we will assist you with optimising your medications.
Will I need surgery?
Most people do not start with surgery. It can be considered for selected people, and we will talk it through with you if it becomes relevant.
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.
References
- Oliveira CB, Maher CG, Ferreira ML, et al. Epidural corticosteroid injections for lumbosacral radicular pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013577
- Pinto RZ, Maher CG, Ferreira ML, et al. Drugs for relief of pain in patients with sciatica: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012;344:e497. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.e497
- Ropper AH, Zafonte RD. Sciatica. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(13):1240-1248. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1410151
