Sciatica Pain: Common Causes and Treatments for Relief

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a sudden jolt of pain that shoots from your lower back and down your leg? If so, you're not alone. Sciatic nerve pain, also known as sciatica, is a common condition that affects people across the globe.¹ Keep reading to delve into the root causes of sciatica, learn how to prevent flare-ups and understand treatment options available for instant and long-term relief.

What Is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body. It begins at the base of your spine and splits into two long branches that bring sensations to the lower body. When this nerve becomes pinched or compressed, it causes sciatica.²

Sciatica is marked by pain that extends along the path of the sciatic nerve and may radiate to other body parts. It occurs when the nerve becomes pinched, compressed or inflamed. Often caused by a herniated disk or bone spur, the condition can lead to diverse symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain.¹

While nerves act as a protective mechanism in your body, alerting you to potential harm, issues with the sciatic nerve can present unique challenges.

Common Symptoms of Sciatica

Identifying the symptoms of sciatica is the first step toward understanding and managing the condition. Sciatica presents a range of symptoms that can vary in intensity and impact. Here's what you might experience when dealing with sciatic nerve inflammation:³

• Radiating pain. Pain from sciatica often originates at the nerve root. The most common symptom is a sharp or shooting pain that travels from your lower back through the buttock and down the back of your leg. This pain can be constant or intermittent and often feels like an electric shock.

• Numbness and tingling. You might notice a sensation similar to pins and needles, often in a leg or foot. Numbness and tingling can accompany nerve pain or occur alone, making it difficult to connect the dots.

• Muscle weakness. Sciatica can also cause weakness in the affected leg or foot, leading to difficulty moving or controlling movement. This can affect your ability to walk or perform other physical activities.

• Positional pain. It's not unusual for certain positions or movements to exacerbate sciatic pain, such as prolonged sitting or even sudden actions like coughing or sneezing. This characteristic can make routine activities like sitting at a desk or driving long distances particularly challenging.

4 Causes of Sciatic Pain

Knowing the symptoms and identifying sciatica is important for swift relief. But what causes these symptoms to flare up in the first place? Getting to the root cause can help you heal and prevent future occurrences.⁴

1. Herniated discs. This is the usual suspect when it comes to sciatica. A disc herniation occurs when the soft inner gel of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear in the tougher outer layer. This protrusion can press directly on the sciatic nerve, which causes the familiar shooting pain. If you've been experiencing sudden, intense discomfort, a herniated disc might be the reason.¹

2. Bone spurs. These are bony projections that develop along the edges of your bones. When they form on the spine, they can pinch the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and discomfort. Bone spurs can develop due to wear and tear, especially in people with arthritis.

3. Spinal stenosis. This is a chronic and progressive condition that narrows spaces within the spine. Eventually, stenosis creates pressure on the sciatic nerve. If your symptoms worsen when standing or walking, spinal stenosis might be the cause.¹

4. Injury or trauma. This may be caused by a fall or car accident and can damage the sciatic nerve and the surrounding structures, leading to sciatic nerve pain. If your sciatic pain symptoms began after a specific incident, an injury might be the root cause.

Sciatica vs. Pseudo-Sciatica

Understanding the differences between sciatica, pseudo-sciatica and other types of back pain is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. While these conditions can present similar symptoms, their underlying causes and treatments can vary significantly.

Sciatica: The real deal

Sciatic nerve compression leads to the classic symptoms: sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down to the leg, typically affecting only one side of the body. True sciatica is linked explicitly to nerve root irritation in the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine.

Pseudo-sciatica: The mimic

Pseudo-sciatica, on the other hand, mimics sciatica symptoms but is not caused by direct compression of the sciatic nerve roots. Muscle trigger points can produce pain that radiates down the leg, resembling sciatica. Unlike true sciatica, pseudo-sciatica often stems from soft tissue issues rather than spinal problems.

Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle located in your buttocks. This condition occurs when the muscle spasms and irritates the sciatic nerve. If your pain is concentrated in the buttock and radiates down the leg, piriformis syndrome could be triggering your sciatica.⁴

Other common causes of back pain

Back pain is a broad term and can arise from numerous sources unrelated to the sciatic nerve. Common causes include:⁵

• Arthritis. Arthritis or osteoarthritis can affect the spine, leading to stiffness and pain not typically associated with nerve compression.

• Degenerative disc disease. This disease occurs as the vertebral discs wear down over time. It can cause chronic back pain without necessarily compressing the sciatic nerve.

• Muscle strain. Overexertion or poor posture can lead to muscle strain, resulting in localized back pain.

How to Diagnose Sciatica

Diagnosing sciatica is a multistep process that begins with a physical examination and a detailed medical history review. Early diagnosis is key to effective management. During a physical exam, your healthcare provider will assess your muscle strength, reflexes and ability to perform certain movements, such as walking on your toes or heels, rising from a squatting position or lifting your legs one at a time. These tests help determine how the pain affects your movement and identify potential areas of nerve irritation.¹

In addition to the physical exam, your doctor reviews your symptoms, including when they started and how long they've lasted, plus what makes them better or worse. If further investigation is needed, your provider may order imaging tests.¹

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

An MRI is a non-invasive imaging test that uses radio waves and a strong magnet to create detailed images of your body's soft tissues, including discs and nerves. It may reveal herniated discs or other abnormalities compressing the sciatic nerve.

Computed tomography (CT) scan with myelogram

A CT scan, often combined with a myelogram (an injection of a contrast dye into the spinal canal), can also highlight areas of nerve compression and help pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms. CT scans use X-rays and digital computer technology to create detailed images of soft tissues and bones.

These diagnostic tools allow healthcare providers to accurately identify the source of your sciatica, facilitating the development of a targeted treatment plan to alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life.

Finding Relief From Sciatica

There are two types of sciatic nerve pain: acute and chronic. Acute sciatica is short-term and may resolve independently within a few weeks. Chronic sciatica, however, persists for more than three months and often requires a comprehensive treatment plan to manage symptoms effectively.

Exploring treatment options and costs

A range of treatments are available, from conservative to more advanced interventions tailored to the severity of the condition.

• Chiropractic care may involve spinal adjustments to relieve nerve pressure. Depending on location, chiropractic treatment costs can range from $174 to $240.⁶

• Epidural injections with steroids may give temporary relief from sciatic pain caused by inflammation in the spine. Depending on factors such as health status, insurance plan and healthcare provider fees, among others, you might pay between $683 and $1,108.⁷

• Physical therapy uses exercises to strengthen muscles and alleviate pain. A physical therapy session can cost between $420 and $633.⁸

• Massage therapy relaxes tight muscles. Massage therapy performed by a physical therapist can range in cost from $108 to $168.⁹

• Intracept® Procedure, also known as basivertebral nerve ablation, is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that can help relieve chronic low back pain, including pain from sciatica. Prices often exceed $10,000.¹⁰

Natural Remedies for Pain Relief

It's challenging to deal with sciatica and the pain it causes. Fortunately, several treatment options are available to help you find relief. Sometimes, natural approaches and gentle remedies may help ease your pain.

• Acupuncture. This ancient practice involves stimulating specific points on the body to reduce pain, potentially relieving sciatica sufferers.¹¹

• Herbal supplements. Incorporating anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric into your routine might aid in reducing inflammation and pain.¹²

• Heat and cold therapy. Alternating between heat and ice packs can be a simple yet effective way to manage inflammation and soothe sore areas.¹²

Treating Sciatica at Home

While the pain may be intense, sciatica usually goes away on its own in three out of four people.³ It's important to maintain good posture when sitting for long periods. Engaging in exercises such as walking, yoga, pilates and light stretching can help reduce pain and prevent sciatica from recurring.¹²

Stretches and Exercises for Sciatica Relief

Taking an active role in managing your sciatica can significantly improve your comfort and overall well-being. Regular exercise, maintaining good posture and achieving a healthy weight are pivotal for alleviating current symptoms and preventing future flare-ups. Let's explore some effective stretches that can offer fast relief and contribute to long-term prevention.

Seated glute stretch

Sit on the ground with your legs extended. Cross your right ankle over your left knee, creating a figure-four shape. Gently lean forward, keeping your back straight, until you feel a stretch in your right glute. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch sides.

Sitting spinal stretch

Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Bend your right knee and place your foot outside your left thigh. Twist your torso to the right, placing your left elbow outside your right knee for support. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides.

Basic seated stretch

Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Slowly bend forward from your hips, reaching toward your toes. Keep your back straight and hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, feeling the stretch along your lower back and hamstrings.

Figure-four stretch

Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Cross your right ankle over your left knee. Grasp the back of your left thigh and gently pull it toward you, feeling the stretch in your right hip and glute. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch sides.

Standing piriformis stretch

Stand upright and cross your right leg over your left, just above the knee, creating a figure-four shape. Slowly bend your left leg, lowering your hips until you feel a stretch in your right hip. If needed, hold onto a sturdy surface for balance. Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch legs.

Forward pigeon pose

Begin on all fours. Bring your right knee forward and place it behind your right wrist. Extend your left leg straight back, keeping your hips square. Slowly lower your torso over your right leg, resting on your forearms or forehead. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute, then switch sides.

Preventing Sciatica Flare-Ups

Incorporating regular physical activity like these stretches into your routine can strengthen the muscles supporting your spine, reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Focus on low-impact exercises like walking, swimming or cycling, which can improve your fitness without exacerbating pain. Additionally, maintaining good posture while sitting and standing can help prevent undue strain on your back. Remember, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can alleviate excess pressure on your lower back, further reducing sciatica symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

Do you still have questions about sciatica? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about this condition.

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Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.