Sciatica commonly gets better in four to six weeks but can occasionally last longer.

To assist yourself to relieve your pain and accelerate your recovery:

Do

● Keep on with your regular activities as much as possible

● Regular back stretches

● Begin mild exercise as quickly as you can – anything that gets you moving can assist

● Keep heat packs to the painful regions – you may purchase these from pharmacies

● Ask your pharmacist about painkillers which could assist

Don't

● Sit or lie down for long intervals – despite the fact that moving hurts, it's not harmful and can help you get better quicker

● Take paracetamol on its own – this doesn't help with back ache or sciatica

● Use hot water bottles to ease the ache – you can scald your self if your skin is numb