What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to nerve pain caused by irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the largest in the body, running from the lower back through the hips and buttocks, down the back of each leg and into the feet.
Sciatica can cause sharp, burning or shooting pain anywhere along this pathway, and for some people the discomfort can recur or become long-lasting (chronic). When symptoms persist, patients may work with their GP or a specialist to explore appropriate treatment options and develop a plan to manage the condition.
Sciatica and Medical Cannabis: The Facts
£4.76b
Is the estimated annual cost of back pain and musculoskeletal conditions, including sciatica, to the NHS [1]
20-30%
of people with acute sciatica continue to experience symptoms one to two years later [2]
What Causes Sciatica?
The most common causes of sciatica include:
- Slipped disc – also called a herniated or ruptured disc. This is when the soft cushion-like tissue between the bones in your spine pushes out. Slipped discs can be a result of breakdown over time or from an acute back injury and can reduce space around your spinal cord.
- Spinal stenosis – an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal that your nerves pass through.
- Spondylolisthesis – one of the bones in your spine slips out of line with those above or below it. It is often caused by trauma or degeneration of the intervertebral discs and the joints between each vertebrae.
- Piriformis syndrome – a rare neuromuscular disorder where your piriformis muscle tightens, putting pressure on your spinal nerves which causes sciatic nerve pain.
- Injury – back injury from falls, car accidents or sports injuries.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica causes pain, and sometimes numbness in the leg. It usually affects one leg at a time. The symptoms of sciatica can vary from a mild ache to a burning sensation or severe pain. Moving, sneezing or coughing can make the symptoms worse.
Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Moderate to severe stabbing, burning, or shooting pain.
- Tingling sensation, like pins and needles.
- Muscle weakness.
If you experience more serious symptoms, you should contact your GP immediately. In rare cases, sciatica-like symptoms can signal a serious underlying condition, such as cauda equina syndrome or spinal tumours.
Serious symptoms of sciatica include:
- Sciatica on both sides.
- Severe weakness or numbness in both legs.
- Numbness around your genitals or bottom.
- Loss of bowel or bladder function.
The symptoms of sciatica can be similar to other pain conditions such as back pain and musculoskeletal pain. Persistent or long-standing sciatica can also lead to other complications, such as insomnia or anxiety.
Treatment Options for Sciatica
Sciatica often improves after 4-6 weeks but it can last longer. It affects every person differently. It is important to continue with day-to-day activities where possible.
For many patients, a consistent self-care routine including gentle, regular exercise and stretching may help manage sciatica symptoms and support recovery. A GP may also recommend over-the-counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen gels or co-codamol. Some people find that hot or cold packs provide short-term comfort.
If symptoms do not improve, your GP may refer you to another healthcare professional to explore further treatment options. Imaging, such as an X-ray or CT or MRI scan, may be considered to help identify the underlying cause of the pain.
A physical therapist can recommend specific exercises for how to help sciatica pain by reducing the pressure on the nerve. Physiotherapists can also massage the bones and joints in painful areas to reduce inflammation.
Chronic pain is difficult to deal with, so it’s understandable if you feel sad or depressed. It’s important to get help for your mental wellbeing as this can impact the pain you feel.
When first-line treatments are not effective or suitable, other options may be discussed. These can include prescription medicines such as muscle relaxants, steroid injections, or, in certain cases, surgery.
If symptoms remain persistent and other therapies have been unsuccessful or inappropriate, a specialist doctor may be able to consider whether medical cannabis is a suitable option as part of your care plan.
If medical cannabis is prescribed, your specialist will keep your GP informed to support safe, joined-up care. Patients are encouraged to maintain regular communication with their healthcare providers so their treatment plan can be monitored and adjusted appropriately.
How does Sciatica Affect People?
Sciatica can limit mobility, interrupt sleep, and make everyday tasks more difficult. When symptoms become long-lasting, the impact often reaches further – affecting work, independence and overall wellbeing.
"Living with chronic pain took a huge toll on my physical and mental health. As someone independent and career-driven, not being able to get out of bed and go to work made me feel as if my identity was being stripped away. When I felt like I was at rock bottom and out of options, I discovered medical cannabis. I now have the ability to work, lead a team, and regain my independence."
You can read more about Fatma’s experience and explore our wider ‘Back-to-Work’ research on how long-term illness can affect employment and wellbeing.
Medical Cannabis for Sciatica
Since 2018, private medical cannabis clinics such as Curaleaf Clinic have been legally able to prescribe medical cannabis to eligible patients in the UK.
Internationally, including the UK, chronic pain is the most common condition for which medical cannabis is prescribed. Sciatica can fall within this category when symptoms are long-lasting and other treatments have not been effective or suitable.
Research Regarding Medical Cannabis and Sciatica
Research directly examining medical cannabis for sciatica is limited, but a recent and notable randomised, placebo-controlled study investigated a full-spectrum cannabis extract (VER-01) for chronic low back pain. This large, high-quality clinical trial involving 820 adults found that participants taking the extract reported greater reductions in pain than those receiving a placebo, alongside improvements in sleep and physical function.
This study also found that in individuals with a neuropathic pain component, such as in sciatica, the magnitude of response was greater than in those without neuropathic pain. While these findings are encouraging within chronic low-back-pain research, they cannot be applied directly to sciatica.
The successful completion of such a large, rigorously designed clinical trial represents an important step forward in the evidence base and may help inform future approaches to care. However, chronic pain is complex and varied, and the cannabis plant itself contains multiple active components. Continued and varied research is essential to establish the safety and potential efficacy of medical cannabis across different pain conditions.
There is also growing real-world evidence exploring medical cannabis use in chronic pain more broadly, a category into which long-standing sciatica can fall. Data from our UK Medical Cannabis Registry show that some chronic-pain patients prescribed medical cannabis report changes in pain levels and aspects of health-related quality of life over time.
Similar observational work from Australia has shown similar results, with many participants reporting changes to their symptoms and overall health during follow-up.
Patient-reported outcomes are an important part of the mix because they capture how treatments affect people’s real-world symptoms, daily functioning and quality of life in ways that clinical measurements alone cannot.
Can I be Prescribed Medical Cannabis for Sciatica?
Medical cannabis is not a first-line treatment for sciatica and is not suitable for everyone. If you have tried conventional treatments that have not been effective or well-tolerated, you can complete an eligibility assessment for a consultation with Curaleaf Clinic. Your summary care records will be reviewed, and if appropriate, you may be invited to meet with one of our specialist clinicians experienced in supporting patients with sciatica and other chronic pain conditions.