Leyton Osteopaths
osteopathy clinic in THE HEART OF leyton, east london
Disc & Sciatica Clinic in
East London
Specialist assessment and treatment for sciatica, disc problems and persistent back and leg pain
If you are struggling with persistent back pain, sciatica, leg pain or have been diagnosed with a slipped, herniated or bulging disc, it can be difficult to know what is actually causing your symptoms — or what to do next.
Disc & Sciatica Clinic in East London
At Leyton Osteopaths, our Specialist Disc & Sciatica Clinic focuses on the assessment and treatment of people with persistent or complex spinal problems, including disc-related back pain, sciatica and nerve pain.
We take the time to understand your symptoms, examine your spine and nervous system, and where appropriate review your MRI or other imaging. We can then advise you on the most appropriate treatment approach for your particular condition.
IDD Spinal Decompression may be appropriate for some patients, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Our priority is to establish what is causing your symptoms and whether IDD, osteopathy, rehabilitation or another approach is most appropriate for you.
Are you struggling with any of these problems?
You may have already been diagnosed with a disc problem, or you may simply know that your back or leg pain isn't improving.
We commonly see people experiencing:
- Sciatica or pain travelling from the back or buttock into the leg
- Persistent lower back pain
- Leg pain, numbness or tingling
- A diagnosed slipped or herniated disc
- A bulging disc identified on an MRI
- Disc protrusion or disc extrusion
- Recurrent episodes of sciatica
- Back or leg pain that has not responded to previous treatment
- Neck pain associated with a cervical disc problem
- Arm pain, numbness or tingling originating from the neck
If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, an assessment can help determine whether they may be related to a disc or another spinal problem.
Understanding your condition
The terms used to describe spinal problems can be confusing. A disc bulge, disc protrusion, disc extrusion and herniated disc are not necessarily the same thing, and an abnormality seen on an MRI does not always explain someone's symptoms.
We've created detailed information about the conditions we commonly assess and treat.
Sciatica
Sciatica describes pain caused by irritation or involvement of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it. Symptoms can include pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the buttock and leg.
Slipped & Herniated Discs
A "slipped disc" is a common term used to describe a disc problem in which part of the disc extends beyond its normal boundary. You may also hear terms such as herniated, prolapsed or prolapsed disc.
Learn more about slipped & herniated discs
Bulging Discs
A disc bulge occurs when the disc extends beyond its usual margins. Bulging discs are common findings on MRI scans and do not always cause symptoms, but in some cases they can be associated with back pain or nerve-related symptoms.
How we can help
You may have already been diagnosed with a disc problem, or you may simply know that your back or leg pain isn't improving.
We How we can help
Our approach begins with understanding why you are experiencing your symptoms, rather than simply treating the area that hurts.
Depending on your presentation, this may involve:
1. Clinical assessment
We take a detailed history and perform an appropriate physical, orthopaedic and neurological examination to understand your symptoms and identify any signs that require further investigation or medical referral.
2. Reviewing your imaging
If you have an MRI or other relevant imaging, we can review the findings alongside your symptoms and examination.
If you are considering IDD Spinal Decompression, an appropriate MRI is required so that we can assess the affected spinal levels and identify any factors that may make the treatment unsuitable.
3. Individualised treatment
Depending on your condition, treatment may include osteopathy, exercise and rehabilitation, IDD Spinal Decompression, or a combination of approaches.
Where we believe another form of medical assessment or treatment would be more appropriate, we will advise you accordingly.
4. Ongoing review
Your progress is reviewed throughout treatment so that we can assess how you are responding and adapt your care where necessary.
IDD Spinal Decompression
Could IDD be appropriate for your disc or sciatica problem?
IDD Spinal Decompression is a computer-controlled treatment that applies carefully measured distraction forces to a targeted area of the spine. At Leyton Osteopaths, we use IDD as part of a broader approach to the management of selected disc-related and spinal conditions.
It may be considered for some people with conditions such as:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Disc-related sciatica
- Persistent back or neck pain
- Some nerve-related symptoms
- Selected degenerative spinal conditions
However, IDD is not appropriate for every patient or every spinal condition.
Before recommending treatment, we assess your symptoms, clinical findings and relevant imaging to determine whether IDD is suitable for you.
When you've tried other treatments without getting the improvement you hoped for
Many people who come to our Disc & Sciatica Clinic have already tried one or more approaches to managing their symptoms.
You may have had:
- Osteopathy or physiotherapy
- Exercise or rehabilitation
- Massage
- Medication
- Injections
- Rest and activity modification
Sometimes these approaches provide good results. In other cases, symptoms persist or repeatedly return.
If this sounds familiar, a more detailed assessment may help clarify what is contributing to your symptoms and what options are available.
The aim isn't simply to find another treatment to try. It is to understand why your symptoms are persisting and whether there is a more appropriate treatment strategy for you..
Understanding your MRI
MRI reports can contain terminology that is difficult to interpret.
You may have been told that you have:
- A disc bulge
- A disc protrusion
- A disc extrusion
- Nerve root compression
- Foraminal narrowing
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc changes
- Disc dehydration
These findings can sound concerning, but an MRI finding needs to be considered alongside your symptoms and clinical examination.
We've created a guide to help you understand some of the terminology commonly used in spinal MRI reports.
Not sure what is causing your symptoms?
You don't need to arrive with a diagnosis.
If you have persistent back pain, sciatica, leg pain, numbness or other symptoms that you are struggling to understand, the first step is a thorough assessment.
We'll discuss your symptoms, examine you and explain what we think may be contributing to your problem.
If further investigation is appropriate, we'll explain why.
If IDD is potentially suitable, we'll explain the treatment and assess whether it is appropriate for you.
And if we don't think IDD is the right option, we'll tell you that too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an MRI before having an assessment?
Not necessarily. You can attend an initial assessment without an MRI. However, if you are considering IDD Spinal Decompression, an appropriate MRI is required before treatment can be recommended.
Is IDD suitable for everyone with sciatica?
No. Sciatica can have a number of different causes, and IDD is not appropriate for every patient. We assess your symptoms, examination findings and imaging before deciding whether it is suitable.
Can you treat a slipped or herniated disc without surgery?
Many disc problems are managed conservatively, depending on the individual circumstances. The appropriate approach depends on the severity and nature of the disc problem, your symptoms and any neurological findings.
Is a bulging disc the same as a slipped disc?
Not necessarily. These terms describe different appearances or types of disc change. An MRI report can help identify what is present, but the finding also needs to be considered in the context of your symptoms.
Do you treat neck as well as lower back disc problems?
Yes. Our Disc & Sciatica Clinic also assesses selected cervical disc and nerve-related problems affecting the neck, shoulder, arm and hand.
What happens at the first appointment?
We take a detailed history, discuss your symptoms and goals, and carry out an appropriate physical examination. If you have relevant imaging, we can discuss the findings. We then explain our assessment and the treatment options we believe are appropriate.
Specialist Disc & Sciatica Care in East London
Leyton Osteopaths is based in the centre of Leyton, East London, and is easily accessible from Leytonstone, Stratford, Walthamstow and surrounding areas.
If you have persistent sciatica, a diagnosed disc problem or back and leg pain that isn't improving, we'd be happy to assess you and help you understand your options.
Get In Touch
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about how treatment works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to us, and whether we can
help you.
You can also call us on 02030 961 900 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to us first. We are happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.