Massage for Sciatica: How It May Help and When to See a GP

Massage cannot cure sciatica, but many of our customers with sciatica have told us that massage really helped them feel more comfortable. A firm, careful massage can ease tension in the lower back, glutes and the piriformis muscle, which often feel tight alongside sciatic pain. At May Thai Therapy, 11 London Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6JE, a 60-minute massage costs £70.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the name for pain, tingling or numbness that runs along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back, through the buttock and down the back of each leg. Sciatica usually affects one side. People often describe it as a sharp, burning or shooting pain from the buttock down the leg, sometimes with pins and needles or weakness. It happens when the nerve is irritated or pressed on, for example by a slipped (herniated) disc or other changes in the lower spine. Sciatica is a symptom with a cause, so it is important to get it properly assessed by your GP or a physiotherapist.

What our customers tell us

Many customers who come to us with sciatica have told us that their massage really helped. This is customer feedback, not a medical claim. Everyone is different, and massage is not a treatment for the underlying cause of sciatica. What it can do is help with the muscle tension that often comes with it.

How massage may help with muscle tension

When the lower back or leg is painful, the muscles around it often tighten up to guard the area. Long periods of sitting, driving or standing can make this worse. Massage works on these muscles:

• Lower back: the muscles either side of the spine can become stiff and sore. Slow, firm pressure may help them relax.
• Glutes: the large buttock muscles often feel tight and tender alongside sciatic pain.
• Piriformis: a small muscle deep in the buttock. The sciatic nerve passes close to it, so when the piriformis is tight, many people feel it as buttock pain that can travel down the leg.
• Hamstrings and calves: these can tighten when you walk or sit differently to avoid pain.

Many people also find that massage helps them relax, which can make discomfort easier to manage. Your therapist will not work directly on a painful nerve, and will adjust the pressure to you throughout.

Which treatments suit sciatica-related tension?

• Thai deep tissue massage (60 min £70, 90 min £105): our most popular choice for back and buttock tension. Your therapist can focus on the lower back, glutes and legs.
• Back-focused massage: any of our oil massages can concentrate on the back and hips. Read our guide to back massage for back pain.
• Traditional Thai massage: clothed, with gentle assisted stretches. Tell your therapist about your sciatica so stretches can be kept gentle or left out.
• Sports massage: suits active people with tight hamstrings, hips and glutes.
• Ashiatsu (walking on the back), only where appropriate: Ashiatsu is not suitable if you have disc problems, recent back surgery or unexplained back pain. If your sciatica is caused by a disc problem, or you are not sure of the cause, choose a hands-only massage. See Is Ashiatsu safe?

If firm pressure feels too much, our Relax Thai Therapy is gentler.

When to see a GP first

See your GP or a physiotherapist before booking a massage if:

• you have not had your sciatica checked before;
• the pain is severe, getting worse or has not improved after a few weeks;
• you have weakness in your leg or foot;
• the pain started after a fall or injury;
• you have recently had back surgery.

Red-flag symptoms: get urgent help

Some symptoms with back pain or sciatica need urgent medical attention. Do not book a massage. Go to A&E or call 999 if you have:

• numbness or tingling around your genitals or bottom, or between your thighs;
• new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, or difficulty peeing;
• sciatica in both legs, or weakness or numbness in both legs;
• severe pain that is getting worse.

If you are unsure, call NHS 111 for advice.

What to expect at May Thai Therapy

1. Book a deep tissue or other massage: book online 24/7 or call 07360 276999. Mention your sciatica in the booking notes.
2. A short chat. Your therapist will ask where you feel pain, what your GP or physiotherapist has said, and how firm you like the pressure.
3. The massage. Work usually focuses on the lower back, glutes and legs, in a private room. You may lie on your side if lying face down is uncomfortable. Just ask.
4. Speak up. Say "lighter" at any time. If the massage makes your leg pain sharper or causes new tingling, tell your therapist straight away.
5. Aftercare. Drink water and keep moving gently. Some tenderness the next day can happen after firm massage. If your symptoms get worse, contact your GP.

60 or 90 minutes?

60 minutes allows focused work on the back, glutes and legs plus some full-body massage. 90 minutes gives more time on problem areas and a slower pace. Many clients travelling from Hertford or Letchworth and Baldock choose 90 minutes.

Prices

Ashiatsu, where appropriate, is included at no extra cost. See our full price list.

Massage for sciatica near Stevenage, Welwyn and Hertford

We are on London Road (B197) in Woolmer Green, between Knebworth and Welwyn, near A1(M) junction 6. Clients come from Knebworth, Welwyn, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Hertford. We are open 7 days a week, 10am–8pm. Parking: our own car park behind the shop (6 spaces), plus free street parking in the adjacent roads. Getting in and out of the car is easier with parking right behind the shop.

Distances and times are route estimates from OpenStreetMap data (OSRM) without traffic. Allow extra time at peak hours.

Find us

11 London Road, Woolmer Green, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG3 6JE.

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Read next: Back massage for back pain · Deep tissue massage · Sports massage · Is Ashiatsu safe?

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