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How to get more sciatica patients: a plan for spine, orthopedic and physical therapy practices

A hand on a ringing desk phone at an orthopedic and sports medicine practice front desk

Adults call about pain that runs from the low back or buttock down one leg, or numbness and tingling in the leg. This guide covers sciatica from a disk or a narrowing in the lower spine; back pain, neck pain, physical therapy, neuropathy and sports injury have their own guides. The spine physician or treating clinician (the clinician below) evaluates the patient and decides the plan, including whether and which tests are needed.

In short

  • Speak to adults with leg pain from the back in plain words, without fear or blame.
  • Keep landing pages simple: symptoms you see, evaluation, clinician, price, one way to book.
  • Book the evaluation with a short script that never names a treatment.
  • Relay only the MedlinePlus lines for urgent signs, then tell the clinical team.
  • Follow up with consent, without pressure, and track each request.
  1. SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
  2. Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
  3. Call or formThey call or send a request.
  4. Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
  5. Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.
How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Who the patients are and what they search for

Callers are adults with pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that starts in the low back or buttock and runs down the leg. Some bring a referral or earlier imaging. They search for a sciatica doctor near them, pain down the leg, pinched nerve in the back, herniated disc or spinal stenosis. Use the same words on your pages.

The MedlinePlus sciatica page says “Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.” and “It can start in the lower back and extend down your leg to your calf, foot, or even your toes.” So staff never guess the cause. Aim ads at adults only, and never build audiences from health information.

2. Landing page basics

  • Name the symptoms you see. Care starts with an evaluation.
  • Give the clinician’s name and real credentials.
  • Give a starting price and what it includes. Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate.
  • Show one way to book.

Never say who needs a test, never name a treatment, and never promise any outcome. Avoid “fix your sciatica”, “one-visit fix”, “crack your back”, “risk-free” and “insurance will cover it”. Better: “the clinician will examine you, decide whether any tests are needed and talk through the options with you”.

3. The phone script

Staff collect answers and book. They never judge urgency, never say what condition a caller has and never name a treatment.

  1. “Thanks for calling. May I take your name, your age and the reason for your visit?”
  2. “Did a doctor refer you? Please bring a list of your medicines and any earlier imaging reports.”
  3. “The evaluation starts at [price]. Imaging may be extra. We will check your plan, but cannot promise coverage.”
  4. Which treatment, and will it work? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The clinician will examine you and decide with you whether any tests are needed and what the options are.”
  5. “I can book your evaluation now. May we text or email you about it?”

Book adults only; pass any caller under 18 to the clinical team. Staff never advise on medicines, driving, work or home care; they pass those questions on. See the new patient phone script.

4. Routing and safety lines

Relay only what the sources say, each line that matches, then tell the clinical team right away.

  • The MedlinePlus sciatica article says “Contact your provider right away if you have:” and lists “Unexplained fever with back pain”, “Back pain after a severe blow or fall”, “Redness or swelling on the back or spine”, “Pain traveling down your legs below the knee”, “Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis”, “Burning with urination or blood in your urine”, “Pain that is worse when you lie down, or awakens you at night”, “Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable” and “Loss of control of urine or stool (incontinence)”. Relay these.
  • It also says “Also contact your provider if:” and lists “You have been losing weight unintentionally (not on purpose)”, “You use steroids or inject illicit drugs”, “You have had back pain before, but this episode is different and feels worse” and “This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks”. Relay that.
  • The spinal stenosis article says “More serious symptoms that need prompt attention include:” and lists “Difficulty or poor balance when walking”, “Worsening numbness and weakness of your limb”, “Problems controlling urine or bowel movements” and “Problems urinating or having a bowel movement”. Relay that.
  • The herniated disk article says “Contact your provider if you have:” and lists “Severe back pain that does not go away” and “Any numbness, loss of movement, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes”. Relay that.
  • The MedlinePlus back pain page says “If your back pain is severe or doesn’t improve after three days, you should call your health care provider.” and “You should also get medical attention if you have back pain following an injury.” Relay that.

Callers who say they feel anxious, stressed or upset go to the clinical team promptly. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team.

Text or email only with the patient’s own contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA. Follow up without pressure (see consultation to treatment), never pay or take payment for referrals (see patient referrals for medical practices), and track each request from first contact to evaluation.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more sciatica patients?

Answer quickly, give clear prices and real credentials, keep claims inside the sources, and book an evaluation where the clinician decides on tests and the plan.

Can we tell callers which treatment they need or that it will work?

No. MedlinePlus says treatment, if needed, depends on the cause. The spine physician or treating clinician decides the plan after the evaluation.

What should the front desk do when a call sounds urgent?

Relay the matching MedlinePlus line from section 4, then tell the clinical team right away. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team.

Does insurance cover sciatica care?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

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