Spinal Pain & Sciatica Clinic
Are you living with symptoms of persistent back pain and sciatica?
- Ongoing lower back pain that hasn’t improved
- Pain radiating down the leg
- Pain into the buttock, thigh or foot
- Nerve pain, tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
- Tightness, stiffness or spasms in the lower back
- Pain that worsens when sitting, standing or moving
- Sharp or stabbing lower back pain
These symptoms are often linked to irritation or compression of spinal nerves and can persist over time, affecting daily function and quality of life.
If other interventions such as physiotherapy, exercise or medication have not provided enough relief, our team offers a clear next step, including specialist assessment, MRI imaging and a range of targeted spinal injection treatments where appropriate.
For support with a wider range of persistent or complex pain conditions that are not related to spinal pain or sciatica, find out more about our Pain Management Clinic.
A Clear Pathway
Our Spinal Pain and Sciatica Pain Management Clinic provides a structured clinical pathway delivered by specialist clinicians with extensive experience. It is designed to ensure that any treatment, including injections, is only recommended where it is clinically appropriate and likely to help.
What to expect
1. Free Rapid Access Telephone Assessment
Speak with a member of our specialist team to discuss your symptoms and determine whether this service is appropriate for you.
2. Specialist Spinal Assessment
Receive a detailed assessment with a spinal specialist physiotherapist to examine your symptoms, movement and nerve function, and assess whether further investigation or treatment may help.
3. MRI Scan
In some cases, an MRI scan is needed to confirm the cause of your symptoms and ensure any treatment, including injections, is accurately targeted and appropriate. This can be done on-site at HSU Clinics Bournemouth.
4. Targeted Spinal Injection Treatment
A spinal injection may be recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation, support movement and aid rehabilitation. This will involve a consultation with the injecting clinician prior to the procedure.
5. Rehabilitation and Follow-Up
Ongoing support and advice by our rehabilitation experts to support improved function and return to suitable activities where possible.
Our Injection Treatments
We offer a range of targeted spinal injections designed to help reduce pain, improve movement and support rehabilitation when other treatments have not provided sufficient benefit. These are only considered following specialist assessment and are tailored to the likely source of your symptoms.
Our most commonly used treatments include:
- Nerve root block injections
- Epidural injections, including caudal epidural injections where appropriate
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Fluoroscopy-guided spinal injections
- Ultrasound-guided injections
All procedures are carried out by specialist clinicians using imaging guidance, usually fluoroscopy, to support accurate needle placement and patient safety.
Our Specialist Team
Our Spinal Pain and Sciatica Injection Service is delivered by highly experienced specialists with extensive expertise in assessing and managing persistent back pain, sciatica and nerve-related spinal conditions.
Dr. Neil Langridge
Director of Clinical & Rehabilitation Services, Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Health, Consultant Physiotherapist
Neil is an internationally recognised Consultant Physiotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience, supporting patients with long-term and complex conditions. He leads our team as Director of Clinical & Rehabilitation Services, drawing on his qualifications, including a Doctorate in Clinical Practice.
See bio
Richard Stanley
MSK and First Contact Physiotherapy, Clinical Lead for MSK Services
Richard is an experienced Physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal and spinal care, with a focus on helping people with complex or persistent symptoms understand their condition and access the most appropriate treatment options to support recovery and function.
See bio
Dr. Khalid Alaib
Pain Management Consultant
Dr. Khalid Alaib is a highly experienced Pain Management Consultant specialising in complex and chronic pain conditions. He combines clinical expertise with a holistic, patient-centred approach to help patients manage pain and improve their quality of life.
See bio
Dr. Laith Al-Obaidi
Consultant Radiologist
Dr. Al-Obaidi is a Consultant Radiologist specialising in musculoskeletal ultrasound, advanced imaging, and pain management, including ultrasound-guided injections, dedicated to delivering patient-centred care with precision.
See bioFrequently Asked Questions
What if physiotherapy, exercise or medication haven't helped my back pain or sciatica?
Many patients who come to us have already tried physiotherapy, exercise programmes, medication or other treatments without achieving the improvement they were hoping for.
Our service is designed to provide the next step for people with persistent symptoms. Following a specialist assessment, and MRI scanning where required, we can determine whether a targeted spinal injection may be appropriate to help reduce pain and inflammation and support your recovery.
Can spinal injections help with persistent back pain or sciatica?
For suitable patients, spinal injections can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by irritated spinal joints or nerves. This may improve mobility, reduce symptoms and create an opportunity to progress rehabilitation and return to suitable activities where possible.
A specialist assessment will determine whether an injection is likely to be appropriate for your condition.
Could this service be suitable for me?
This service may be suitable for patients experiencing persistent lower back pain, sciatica, leg pain, nerve pain, tingling, numbness, suspected disc-related pain, facet joint pain or pain associated with spinal arthritis. It may be particularly relevant for people whose symptoms have not improved with approaches such as physiotherapy, exercise, medication or other conservative treatments.
Spinal injections are not suitable for everyone and are only considered following a specialist assessment. Your clinician will discuss your symptoms, medical history, imaging findings where appropriate, and the potential benefits, risks and alternatives before recommending the most appropriate treatment approach. For some patients, rehabilitation, medication review, further investigations, surgical opinion or other specialist care may be more suitable.
Do I need an MRI scan before treatment?
Not always. Some patients can be referred directly for treatment following assessment, while others may benefit from an MRI scan to help confirm the source of their symptoms and guide treatment decisions.
If an MRI is required, this will be arranged as part of your care pathway.
How quickly can I access specialist assessment and treatment?
Our service is designed to provide rapid access to specialist assessment, diagnosis and treatment for people with persistent back pain or sciatica. If you are currently waiting for specialist care or looking for the next step in managing your symptoms, we can help you access expert assessment without lengthy delays.
What happens after a spinal injection?
Around two weeks after your injection, you will be reviewed by a spinal specialist physiotherapist to assess your response to treatment and discuss the next steps in your recovery.
You will receive advice and a tailored rehabilitation plan designed to help you get the greatest benefit from the procedure.
Why choose our specialist spinal and sciatica pain management clinic?
Our service offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Rather than focusing on a single treatment, we provide specialist assessment, access to MRI imaging where required, targeted spinal injections where clinically appropriate, and rehabilitation support to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
By combining expertise from across the patient pathway, we can help you better understand your symptoms, access appropriate treatment and take positive steps towards rehabilitation and recovery.
Are you a Clinician wanting to refer a patient?
If you are a clinician wanting to refer a patient or discuss a patient’s care, please complete the following form and our team will be in touch:
What symptoms need urgent medical help?
This service is not suitable for medical emergencies. If you have new leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, fever with severe spinal pain, recent major trauma, unexplained weight loss, or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek urgent medical help through NHS 111, your GP, or emergency services.
Notices
Clinical Credibility & Governance
Clinically reviewed by Dr Laith Al-Obaidi, Consultant Radiologist and Image-Guided Intervention Pain Specialist and Dr Khalid Alaib, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia.
Pricing Guidance
Procedure fees vary depending on the treatment required. A full quote will be provided before any procedure is booked. Click here for more information on pricing.
Medical Emergencies
This service is not suitable for medical emergencies. If you have new leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, fever with severe spinal pain, recent major trauma, unexplained weight loss, or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek urgent medical help through NHS 111, your GP, or emergency services.
Book a Free Rapid-Access Telephone Assessment Today
Our specialist team will discuss your symptoms and help guide the most appropriate next steps in your care, which may include MRI scanning or spinal injections where appropriate.
