*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

[Previous Feature][Next Feature]

This Week - S : Sciatica & Butt Pain

Sciatica is where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed. It usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks but can last longer.

Check if you have sciatica

If you have sciatica, your:

bottom
back of your leg
foot and toes

may feel:

painful - the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
tingling - like pins and needles
numb
weak

Your symptoms may be worse when moving, sneezing or coughing.

You may also have back pain, but it's not usually as bad as the pain in your bottom, leg or foot.

You probably do not have sciatica if you only have back pain.

How you can ease the pain yourself

Sciatica usually gets better in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can sometimes last longer.

To help relieve your pain and speed up recovery:

Do

carry on with your normal activities as much as possible
regular exercises for sciatica
start gentle exercise as soon as you can - anything that gets you moving can help
hold heat packs to the painful areas - you can buy these from pharmacies
ask your pharmacist about painkillers (paracetamol is unlikely to help and it's not clear how much NSAIDs help with sciatica)
put a small, firm cushion between your knees when sleeping on your side, or several firm pillows underneath your knees when lying on your back

Don't

do not sit or lie down for long periods - even if moving hurts, it's not harmful and can help you get better faster
do not use hot water bottles to ease the pain - you could scald yourself if your skin is numb

See a GP if the pain:

has not improved after trying home treatments for a few weeks
is getting worse
is stopping you doing your normal activities

Go to A&E or call 999 if you:

have sciatica on both sides
have weakness or numbness in both legs that's severe or getting worse
have numbness around or under your genitals, or around your bottom (anus)
find it hard to start peeing, cannot pee or cannot control when you pee - and this is not normal for you
do not notice when you need to poo or cannot control when you poo - and this is not normal for you

These could be symptoms of a serious back problem that needs to be treated in hospital as soon as possible.

Treatments from a GP

If you have sciatica, a GP may:

suggest exercises and stretches
prescribe painkillers

They might also refer you for:

physiotherapy - including exercise advice and techniques like massage (manual therapy)
psychological support - to help you cope with the pain

Physiotherapy is free of charge on the NHS throughout the UK, but waiting times can be long. You can also get it privately.

Other treatments for sciatica

If your pain is severe and treatments from a GP have not helped, they may refer you to a hospital specialist for:

painkilling injections
a procedure to seal off some of the nerves in your back so they stop sending pain signals
surgery - an operation called decompression surgery can sometimes help relieve sciatica

Self-refer for treatment

If you have sciatica, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.

To find out if there are any services in your area:

ask the reception staff at your GP surgery
check your GP surgery's website
contact your integrated care board (ICB) - find your local ICB
search online for NHS treatment for sciatica near you

How to stop sciatica coming back

To reduce the chances of getting sciatica again:

Do

stay active - take regular exercise
use a safe technique when lifting heavy objects
make sure you have a good posture when sitting and standing
sit correctly when using a computer
lose weight if you're overweight

Don't

do not smoke - smoking can increase your risk of getting sciatica

Causes of sciatica

Sciatica happens when something presses or rubs on the sciatic nerve.

Causes include:

a slipped disc (the most common cause) - when a soft cushion of tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out
spinal stenosis - narrowing of the part of your spine where nerves pass through
spondylolisthesis - when one of the bones in your spine slips out of position
a back injury

[Previous Feature]

[Next Feature]

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.