Is Sciatica to Blame for Your Pain?

Pain that travels from the buttock down one leg, sometimes with tingling or numbness, may be sciatica. Back pain alone or a general ache in both hips is less specific. An examination helps distinguish nerve-root pain from hip, muscle and other problems.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica usually involves irritation of a nerve root in the lower spine. A herniated disc or narrowing around the nerves are common causes. It is a symptom pattern, not proof that spinal bones are out of alignment.

At an assessment, useful details include:

• Where pain starts and how far it travels

• Whether there is numbness, tingling or weakness, and what activities change it

• How symptoms affect walking, sleep and bladder or bowel function

How to Get Sciatica Under Control

Many cases improve with time and conservative care. Staying active as tolerated and following an individualized exercise plan can help. A clinician should first check for neurological deficits or other findings that change the treatment plan.

Selected manual therapy may be considered alongside exercise, but evidence for sciatica is limited and adjustments are not suitable for every patient. Avoid forcing stretches that worsen radiating pain, numbness or weakness.

Seek emergency care for new difficulty urinating, inability to empty the bladder, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or anus, or severe or worsening weakness in both legs. Back pain after a significant injury needs emergency assessment. Other new weakness, fever or unexplained weight loss also needs prompt medical assessment.

For non-emergency leg pain, learn about our sciatica services or contact Haywood Spine and Nerve Center in Waynesville at (828) 456-5700. Please do not include personal health information in the general contact form.

Further reading: NHS sciatica symptoms and treatment.