What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is clinically known as Lumbar Radiculopathy.
True sciatica is distinguished from general back pain by the fact that the leg pain is often more severe than the back pain itself.
Key Symptoms
While the location of the pain depends on which nerve root is compressed, common patterns include:
Sharp, electric-like pain that travels from the buttock down the back or side of the leg.
Paresthesia or loss of sensation in the calf, foot, or specific toes.
Difficulty lifting the foot (foot drop) or pushing off with the toes while walking.
A constant "hot" or searing ache, often worsened by sitting or coughing.
Common Causes
The most common cause. The jelly-like center of a spinal disc leaks out and chemically irritates or physically compresses the nerve root.
Narrowing of the spinal canal due to age-related bone spurs and ligament thickening, often seen in older adults.
A condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, pinching the nerve.
Other factors: Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes (nerve damage risk), and occupations requiring heavy lifting or prolonged sitting.
Diagnosis & Imaging
- 1
Clinical Examination: The "Straight Leg Raise" test is a classic diagnostic tool to see if stretching the sciatic nerve reproduces the leg pain.
- 2
MRI Scan: The definitive tool for visualizing disc herniations and nerve compression levels.
- 3
CT Scan: Often used to evaluate bone structure if surgery is being planned.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Over 80-90% of people with sciatica improve within 6 weeks without surgery.
- Physical Therapy: Core strengthening and "McKenzie" exercises to centralize the pain (move it from the leg back to the spine).
- Medications: Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or nerve stabilizers (Gabapentin).
- Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): Injecting anti-inflammatory medicine directly around the compressed nerve to reduce swelling.
- Activity Modification: Avoiding prolonged sitting and heavy lifting while remaining as active as pain allows.
Surgical Intervention
Surgery is typically considered if leg pain is debilitating after 6-12 weeks of therapy, or if there is significant progressive weakness.
A minimally invasive procedure where the surgeon removes the specific part of the disc that is pressing on the nerve. This has a high success rate for relieving leg pain.
Seek emergency care if you experience "Cauda Equina Syndrome": sudden loss of bowel/bladder control, or numbness in the "saddle area" (inner thighs/groin).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a sciatica flare-up last?
Most acute flares improve significantly within 4-6 weeks with proper rest and physical therapy.
Is walking good for sciatica?
Yes, gentle walking is often encouraged to prevent stiffness, but you should avoid hills or uneven terrain that might aggravate the nerve.
Recovery Exercises
Watch a video demonstration of nerve gliding exercises designed to reduce sciatic nerve tension.
View Exercises →
