How to Tell If You Have Sciatica (and How to Treat It)

As we get older, it’s not uncommon to experience back pain, particularly in the lower back. Pain generally eventually subsides on its own, but it’s when it keeps coming back every other week or month that you want to pay closer attention.

Pain of this nature isn’t always easy to diagnose, particularly because it can be linked to a number of other conditions. So, how do you know when it’s sciatica?

Sciatica Explained

Let’s start with the fact that sciatica isn’t a condition on its own. It’s actually a symptom of several other conditions, which affect the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve starts at the lower back and extends into the backs of the legs.

Pain occurs when this nerve is aggravated by a separate condition in the back. It will also feel slightly different for everyone, with some people experiencing more severe pain than others.

Who Is Most Prone to Sciatica?

Some people are more prone to sciatica than others due to various risk factors.

If we look at a study by Oxford Academic, age and genetic factors are two of the main reasons why you might develop sciatica.

The risk of developing sciatica increases with age, peaking in individuals in their 50s and declining thereafter. This is often due to age-related degenerative changes in the spine, such as disc herniation or spinal stenosis. Those who have a family history of sciatica are also at greater risk. 

A seperate study by Cureus shows that lifestyle factors and physical activity can also increase or decrease your chances of developing sciatica.

Both low levels of physical activity and engaging in high-intensity activities without proper conditioning can predispose people to sciatica. 

In terms of lifestyle factors, smoking and obesity are risk factors for sciatica. Smoking may contribute to disc degeneration, while excess body weight increases mechanical stress on the spine.

A Look at Sciatica Symptoms

Sciatic pain may affect the lower back, but the pain will soon travel down into the backs of the legs too. Some people even report pain in their feet. And in some cases, you may even find it difficult to straighten your legs.

The pain is rarely dull either – it’s usually a shooting or electrical type of pain.

Signs It’s Not Sciatica

As mentioned, what often seems like sciatica, isn’t. A number of conditions can mimic sciatica, including:

• Damage to the piriformis muscle. Located in the buttock, this muscle can end up irritating the sciatic nerve.
• Joint issues such as arthritis. The inflammation and general irritation of joint conditions can end up irritating the sciatic nerve.
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction. When there is too much motion in the sacroiliac joints, which are located in the hips, it can send pain into the back and legs.

Signs It Is Sciatica

While consulting with a doctor is the easiest way to determine whether you might have sciatica, there are a few other signs to look out for too:

• Running is not your thing. Runners very often end up experiencing problems with their piriformis muscle in the buttock, which, as you know, can aggravate the sciatic nerve. However, if you are not a runner, the pain you’re experiencing could be sciatica.
• Knee weakness. Since sciatica pinches the nerves in your legs, it can lead to weakness in the knees. If your knees are feeling more wobbly than normal, it might be time to speak to your physician about sciatica treatments.
• You’re using the bathroom more often. When the spine puts too much pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can lead to a weak bladder or bowels. A weaker bladder paired with back and leg pain can be a clear sign of sciatica.
• Massage is painful. If you massage your back with your fingers and the pain gets worse, it means the pain is probably muscular. However, if applying pressure to the area does nothing, it could be sciatica.
• Raising your legs increases the pain. One of the tests that your doctor might ask you to do is to lie on your back and raise the affected leg by around 30 – 70 degrees. If the pain becomes worse, it means your pain is more than likely linked to sciatica.

Simple Ways to Treat Sciatica

Surgery may be required to permanently treat sciatica, but this is usually a last resort. Some of the other traditional treatment options include:

• The use of pain medication and anti-inflammatories
• Physical therapy
• Applying heating pads to the affected area for up to 20 minutes
• Warm showers
• Applying ice packs to the area for up to 15 minutes

Alternative Therapies for Sciatica

Many people are also turning to alternative therapies for sciatica that could be an option, depending on what was discussed with your medical practitioner.

• Acupuncture. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Pain Research (2023) showed that acupuncture significantly reduced sciatic pain compared to no treatment or sham acupuncture.
• Chiropractic care. A study in Spine Journal (2022) highlighted chiropractic adjustments as a beneficial option for certain types of sciatica, particularly those caused by spinal misalignment.
• TENS. A TENS machine delivers small electrical currents to the skin, which may reduce pain signals and stimulate the release of endorphins. Studies, including one in the Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022), support TENS for temporary sciatica relief.
• Osteopathy. Osteopaths use manual techniques to enhance mobility, reduce nerve compression, and improve blood circulation. A review in BMJ Open (2023) found that osteopathy can be effective for managing low back pain and sciatica.

Pain-Free Living

Having to deal with sciatica symptoms is less than ideal, but there are a number of options available to you in terms of treatment.

If you feel that you may very well be dealing with sciatica, you can try some of the above treatment options, but it’s best to start your treatment journey with a visit to your doctor.