Bagpuss.. from your description it sounds like sciatica...

I would favour the massage therapist, or reflexologist approach....

here's a basic reflexology trigger point technique you can try at home...... use whatever foot corresponds to the side where the pain is

on the top of the foot just in front of your ankle bone (towards outside of your foot) there is a hollow... push gently in there (I say gently because it will be VERY tender)... move around in the hollow (use a thumb or finger) until you find the sorest spot... then apply pressure... IT WILL HURT!!... or get someone else to do it for you.......

hold the pressure for a few minutes (it may continue to hurt.. or even get worse)... eventually the pain in your foot will lessen, or you may start to feel a pulsing sensation.... ease off the pressure VERY gently.....

if it is sciatica.. I have used this technique very successfully on a few people.... remember you may feel worse before you feel better...

alternatively.. get the mice on the mouse organ to have a go... *grin*

slainte

alison