Whether you’re playing with your kids at the park, bending down
in the garden, or even just working at your desk, sciatica may flare
up at any time, disrupting your day. But it doesn’t have to. Learn
about sciatica’s causes, symptoms, and treatments.
The thing about sciatica is it isn’t a medical condition itself. Instead, it’s the term doctors use to describe the pain you feel when one or both of your sciatic nerves get irritated or compressed.
These nerves run from your lower back down the backs of your legs. They control the muscles that help you to walk, run, and jump and allow you to feel touch and pain in parts of your back, legs, and feet. They’re the largest nerves in your body.
When something like a herniated disk or bone spur presses against these nerves, it may spark a sharp burning pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. Those sensations are the sciatica. Thankfully, it’s very treatable. Some mild cases even resolve on their own.
Because sciatica is often caused by irritation to the sciatic nerves’ roots in the lower spine, it’s common to feel a dull ache, burning, or sharp twinge in the lower back or butt.
Pain in the back of your thigh or calf is also common with sciatica. Because each sciatic nerve runs down one leg, rather than both, you’ll usually only feel pain in the affected nerve’s leg.
Sciatica is a radiating pain that may reach as far down as your feet and toes. Since the sciatic nerve reaches the soles of your feet, pain may appear there even if the damage is higher up.
The disks in your spine act like little shock absorbers between bones. When one of them herniates or bulges, it may press on the sciatic nerve and trigger pain. Over time, disks may also wear down (degenerative disk disease), which shrinks the space between vertebrae and may put pressure on your sciatic nerve.
Spinal stenosis is when the spaces inside your spine get narrower, usually as a part of getting older. That narrowing leaves less room for nerves, squeezing the roots of your sciatic nerve and causing pain. Here’s a helpful tip, though: sitting or leaning forward may provide some relief since it gives your nerves a little more breathing room.
Bone spurs are little bony growths that may form on your spine as a result of arthritis or everyday wear and tear. They’re your body’s attempt to “repair” your spine. On their own, they aren’t always painful, but if a spur forms near the sciatic nerve, it may press against it, setting off sharp pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg.
Spondylolisthesis is when one of your vertebrae slips forward over the one below it. When that happens, it may pinch or compress your sciatic nerves’ roots where they exit the spine. The pain often shows up when standing or walking for long periods, so like spinal stenosis, sitting down may help provide relief.
Piriformis syndrome is a little different than the other causes because it doesn’t start in the spine: it starts in the muscles of your butt. The piriformis is a small muscle that sits right next to the sciatic nerve. If it tightens, spasms, or gets irritated, it may press directly on the nerve, causing pain.
Sometimes sciatica is caused by an injury, like a car accident, a bad fall, or an impact while playing your favorite sport. The damage may be to the spine, disks, or nearby tissues, all of which may press on the sciatic nerve. The damage may also be directly on the nerve itself. Injury-related sciatica tends to come on more quickly and intensely than the gradual onset you’d see with age-related causes.
13-40% of people will be diagnosed with sciatica in their lifetime1
30-40 year olds are the most likely to experience sciatica2
4-6 weeks is how long it takes for most cases of sciatica to heal2
95% of people with sciatica from a herniated disk may recover within 1 year with non-surgical treatments3
You’re most likely to get sciatica in your 30s, but it’s also common into your 40s and 50s. Why? Because as you age, your spine takes on natural wear and tear that may lead to common causes of sciatica, like herniated disks, bone spurs, and spinal stenosis.
Jobs that require heavy lifting, twisting, or long hours of driving may put stress on the spine. Over time, that stress may lead to disk injuries or other changes that irritate the sciatic nerve. Construction jobs, warehouse work, and trucking are often flagged as higher risk.
Sitting for long periods, especially with poor posture, may increase pressure on the lower back and disks. That’s the daily challenge of people who spend their workday at a desk. Taking breaks for regular movement and stretching may go a long way toward protecting your back and, as a result, your sciatic nerves.
Carrying extra weight puts added pressure on the spine, particularly the lower back. That may speed up wear and tear on your disks and joints, making nerve compression more likely. But there’s good news! Even modest weight loss may reduce stress on the back and help lower your risk of sciatica.
Diabetes affects the way your body uses blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar in particular may damage your nerves, making them more vulnerable to nerve pain like sciatica. Doing your best to control your blood sugar is a great way to lower your risk.
Even mild sciatica may disrupt your day. Bending down to tie your shoes, carrying groceries, or standing at the sink to do dishes may trigger pain or numbness. The same goes for long drives, sitting at a desk, exercising, or even just relaxing on the couch. All may cause discomfort.
Sciatica can interrupt your rhythm, making simple routines feel difficult and frustrating. The good news is that it does not have to stay that way. Sciatica is treatable, and with the right approach you can reduce discomfort, improve mobility, and rediscover the ease of moving through your day. Relief is possible, and so is reclaiming the activities that matter most to you.
Chiropractic care may help you manage and relieve sciatic pain. Routine visits are an effective alternative to prescription or over-the-counter pain medications (OTCs), which are commonly prescribed to help patients manage their pain.
Licensed chiropractors like ours deliver a gentle, non-invasive therapy known as a chiropractic adjustment. Adjustments reduce the restriction or misalignment of joints in your spine to help reduce inflammation and improve function of both the affected joint and nervous system. By increasing joint mobility and improving your spinal health, your body may be able to better manage symptoms caused by sciatica.
To relieve your pain, chiropractic care tries to tackle the underlying condition that’s putting pressure on your sciatic nerve:
There are many potential health benefits of chiropractic care when you have sciatica, including:
Walk in for quality, affordable care that fits your schedule. Enjoy hassle-free visits and same-day relief.
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
3555 Rosecrans St, Suite #110a
San Diego, CA 92110
Today: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed for Lunch: 2 PM - 2:45 PM
Sciatica shows up when one of your sciatic nerves gets pinched or irritated. Most of the time, it’s because the soft core of one of your disks has leaked out, putting pressure on the nerve. Other common causes include bone spurs or a narrowing of the spinal canal as you age. In some cases, tight muscles (like the piriformis) or an injury may spark it.
For a lot of people, sciatica is a short chapter, not a lifelong story. Mild cases often resolve within a matter of weeks, especially if you rest, stretch, and move cautiously. If the cause is more serious, recovery may take longer. Some people deal with flare-ups off and on, so healing isn’t always a straight path. Talking with a chiropractor for sciatica is a great way to understand what your timeline may look like.
Relief usually comes when you ease the pressure on the sciatic nerve and calm inflammation. That could mean physical therapy, stretching, gentle activity, pain medications, or hot and cold therapy. Some people benefit from chiropractic adjustments or acupuncture. In more severe cases, steroid injections or surgery are an option.
To alleviate the sciatic nerve, you need to give it a little more room to breathe. Staying active with gentle stretches, short walks, and good posture helps take pressure off. Ice and heat may also help reduce pain and address the muscle spasms that sometimes cause sciatica. For ongoing relief, build up your core strength and flexibility to help take pressure off the spine and nerve.
To treat your sciatica at home, start by alternating ice and heat, resting for short periods after gentle activity, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Foam rolling or stretches targeting your lower back, hamstrings, and the piriformis muscle in your butt may ease pressure on the nerve. Low-impact exercise, like walking or swimming, are also a good idea. That all said, sciatica is a symptom of another underlying condition, so if the pain doesn’t go away within a week or so, or if your pain is moderate to severe, talk to your doctor or chiropractor so they may put together a more personalized treatment plan.
Chiropractors use gentle adjustments, stretches, and other techniques to help take pressure off the sciatic nerve. For some people, this may bring real relief: less pain, more movement, and fewer flare-ups. Results vary depending on what’s causing your sciatica in the first place, but chiropractic care may be an effective option for you.
Everyone’s timeline for recovery looks a little different. For some, sciatic nerve pain fades within a couple of weeks. For others, it may last for a month or more. Chronic cases, which often stick around longer than three months or flare up again and again, persist when the underlying problem isn’t fixed. The good news is most people do get better with the right mix of rest, activity, and care.
Doctors and chiropractors usually start to diagnose sciatica by checking your reflexes, strength, and how you move: simple clues that may point to nerve irritation. If they need a closer look, MRIs or CT scans may show if a disk or bone spur is pressing on the nerve. X-rays may help spot structural issues in your spine. In some cases, nerve tests like an EMG may be used to measure how well your sciatic nerve is working.
Most treatment plans start with stretching, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or medications to ease the pain. That’s often enough, but if it isn’t, doctors may suggest injections to calm the inflammation. For severe or ongoing pain, doctors may consider surgery. But the best plan usually combines self-care at home with medical guidance.
You can’t always prevent sciatica, especially if it’s primarily tied to aging. But regular exercise, strong core muscles, and good posture may go a long way to lowering your risk. Simple habits (like lifting with your legs instead of your back) may also help protect you from the kinds of spinal issues that irritate the sciatic nerve. In the end, prevention is really about giving your spine the best support system possible to keep it from getting overwhelmed.
Yes, but it’s less common. Sciatica usually only affects one leg, because each leg has its own sciatic nerve. When both legs are affected, it may signal a more serious condition (like Cauda Equina Syndrome) that’s pressing on multiple nerves at once. In those cases, you should seek medical attention right away.
If your sciatic pain is moderate or severe, lasts longer than a week or two, or keeps getting worse, it’s time to see your doctor or chiropractor. You should also get checked if you have any numbness, weakness, or trouble controlling your bladder or bowels. Those may be signs of a more urgent issue. That all said, even if your pain is mild, a doctor may help confirm the cause, guide you to the best treatment, and give you peace of mind.
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For Ricky Rodriguez, a 40-year-old freestyle skateboarder, sciatica pain was the one thing that could stop him in his tracks. Hours of skating each week put heavy strain on his lower back, and simply doing an ollie or landing wrong could trigger sharp, shooting pain. Looking for real relief, Ricky turned to The Joint Chiropractic, where we explained his condition and eased his pain with adjustments. Now, he’s back on his board, feeling more flexible, more in tune with his body, and able to skateboard to the fullest.
1 UTHealth Houston Neurosciences. (2024, September 19). Scoliosis.
https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/conditions-and-treatments/spine-disorders-and-back-pain/scoliosis
2 Davis, D., Taqi, M., & Vasudevan, A. (2024, January 4). Sciatica. NCBI. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
3 Peul, W. C., van Houwelingen, H. C., van den Hout, W. B., Brand, R., Eekhof, J. A. H., Tans, J. T. J., Thomeer, R. T. W. M., & Koes, B. W. (2007). Surgery versus prolonged conservative treatment for sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(22), 2245–2256. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa064039
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