I suffer with recurrent sciatica and would like to know the best way forward. Each bout of pain lasts four or five days and is triggered by something minor, like carrying shopping into the house or a long car journey. I can always walk, but I'm worried I'm taking too many painkillers to stay on my feet.

Sciatica is usually caused by a mechanical problem in the lower back, causing the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the buttocks and legs to become pinched and inflamed. Slipped discs, arthritis, muscular injury or tension and sitting awkwardly are all common triggers, and a visit to a qualified osteopath, chiropractor or craniosacral therapist is strongly recommended to address the physical cause. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories may help to get through the day but fail to address the underlying problem and can irritate the gut lining and overburden the liver.

Nutritional support should focus on nurturing structural bones, muscles and ligaments as well as calming inflammation. Avoid sugary and refined foods, stimulants and fizzy drinks which strip the body of bone building nutrients including calcium and magnesium. Lack of magnesium and B1 can aggravate muscular pain and spasms, to boost these include plenty of wholegrains, leafy green vegetables, wheatgerm, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Anti-inflammatory foods include ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper and bromelain found in pineapples.

Useful supplements include Biocare’s Ligazyme Plus to support bones and ligaments and Pukka’s Turmeric & Boswellia anti-inflammatory formula that helps to increase circulation to the affected area as well as supporting muscles, ligaments and bones, available from Xynergy www.xynergy.co.uk tel 08456 585858. A high strength fish oil such as Biocare’s Omegaplex may also help to ease inflammation.

There are many different homeopathic remedies that can help sciatica, for example Bryonia (worse for slightest movement, better for lying on the painful side), Lachesis (left-sided pain that is worse for sleep), Lycopodium (right-sided pain worse for sitting), and Rhus Tox (pain worse for cold wet weather and on initial movement but better for limbering up). For best results seek treatment from a registered homeopath – see the Society of Homeopaths www.homeopathy-soh.org for a practitioner near you.

Stella New RSHom MBANT is a registered homeopath and nutritional therapist with clinics in Midhurst and Farnham, and technical consultant for Xynergy Health Products. Prior to her training she spent many years as an expedition leader, taking groups into some of the most challenging parts of the world, where she was inspired by the use of natural remedies for treating all manner of ailments. Email stella@stellanew.co.uk