What Is Sciatica? Symptoms, Causes & When to Seek Care
If you've ever experienced pain that travels from your lower back or hip down into your leg, you may have heard the word sciatica.
Sciatica isn't actually a diagnosis by itself. It's a term commonly used to describe symptoms that occur when the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it are irritated or compressed.
The symptoms can vary significantly from person to person, which is why understanding what's actually causing them matters.
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Sciatic symptoms can include:
Pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg
Burning or shooting pain
Tingling
Numbness
Weakness
Symptoms that travel down one side of the leg
Some people experience primarily back pain, while others may have little back pain and more symptoms in the leg.
What Can Contribute to Sciatic Symptoms?
There are several things that can contribute to symptoms involving the sciatic nerve.
These can include:
Disc-related problems
A bulging or herniated disc may irritate a nearby nerve.
Spinal changes
Changes in the spine can sometimes narrow the spaces where nerves travel.
Muscle-related factors
Certain muscles or soft tissues can contribute to symptoms that feel similar to sciatica.
Movement and loading patterns
The way you move, train, sit, or perform repetitive activities may also play a role in how your body handles physical stress.
Because there are multiple possible causes, it's important not to assume that every pain traveling down your leg is automatically "sciatica."
When Should You Have It Evaluated?
If symptoms are persistent, worsening, interfering with your normal activities, or affecting your ability to exercise or work, an evaluation can help determine what's going on.
Seek prompt medical attention for severe or progressive weakness, significant numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or saddle region, or other serious or rapidly worsening symptoms.
How Health Wave Approaches Sciatic Symptoms
Andrew begins by getting to know your symptoms, history, activity level, and goals before determining what care may be appropriate.
Depending on the individual, care may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, active rehabilitation, or non-surgical spinal decompression when appropriate.
The goal is to understand what's contributing to your symptoms rather than assuming everyone with leg pain needs the same treatment.
The Bottom Line
Sciatica can look different from person to person.
If pain, tingling, numbness, or other symptoms are affecting your ability to move and do the things you enjoy, getting an appropriate evaluation can be a helpful first step.
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