Sciatica: you’ve probably heard the term from your doctor, a friend, or an online article. But what is it, exactly, and what does it have to do with your back or leg pain?
In a nutshell, sciatica is the name given to pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. It’s usually the direct result of a compressed nerve in the lower spine, though the term is often confused with general back pain, so don’t let that mix you up. Sciatica is certainly not limited to your back. Experts believe nearly 40% of people will experience it at least once in their life. It’s worth noting that sciatica isn’t actually a condition on its own, but a symptom of whatever is irritating the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest, and widest, nerve in the human body, running from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs to just before the knee. It controls several muscles in the lower leg and is responsible for sensation across most of the lower leg and into the foot.
Symptoms of sciatica
When inflammation pinches or aggravates the sciatic nerve, it becomes sciatica. This can begin as shooting pain in the lower back that continues down into the knee and leg, though you may also feel discomfort in seemingly unconnected areas, like the outside of the leg or hip. It can radiate as knee pain after weakening the surrounding muscles, and it’s also been known to bring tingling or numbness into the feet.
What causes sciatica
Root causes vary from person to person. Some people feel the effects through a herniated disc, pregnancy, osteoarthritis, a spinal injury, or degenerative disc disease, among other conditions. Until you have a confirmed diagnosis, it’s difficult to properly address the pressure on the nerve. If the cause isn’t immediately clear, your doctor may recommend tests or imaging to confirm it, after which a physical therapist can build a plan around the cause and the symptom at the same time.
How a physical therapist fixes sciatic nerve pain
It’s tempting to turn straight to prescription painkillers, but that path risks dependency and only masks the pain rather than fixing the problem. A physical therapist administers a combination of tissue mobilization and exercise therapy, tailored to your specific underlying cause, pain level, and situation. One example: extension and flexion exercises for the back, promoting correct spinal movement through bending backward and forward, can make a real difference. This is the foundation of the McKenzie Method (also known as MDT, Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy), one of several approaches a therapist may use depending on what’s actually driving your symptoms.