Sciatica

Written by Carlie Olenick, Keri Wiginton
Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on November 05, 2025
12 min read

Sciatica means an irritated or compressed sciatic nerve. It's a nerve that travels from your lower back down each leg — and can commonly cause pain in your backside. The telltale sign of sciatica pain starts in your lower back and shoots down one leg, sometimes all the way into your foot.

The reason for sciatica differs from person to person. But it’s usually due to an injury or just the wear and tear of aging. This large bundle of nerves extends from your lower spine, through your butt, and down the back of each leg.


Back pain can come in various forms, and certain conditions can press on the bundle of nerves to worsen the pain. Sciatica can flare up right after an injury or start slowly and mysteriously over a period of months. It might be sudden and short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic).

Thankfully, treatments can help ease your sciatica pain, and it’s usually pretty simple to identify. Home remedies can work fast, so you might not even have to call a doctor. But sometimes, your back pain can be a sign of disk wear and tear.

Find out how sciatica happens, what causes it, and when to call a doctor.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It starts in your lower back and splits to run through your:

  • Hips
  • Butt cheeks (buttocks)
  • Legs
  • Feet on both sides

The main sign of sciatica is a mild ache to sharp, serious pain that travels from your lower back into the back or side of your legs. You can also get numbness, tingling, and weakness in your leg or foot.

Sciatica often happens when the root(s) in the lower part of your spine become irritated. Your vertebrae are the bones that make up your spine, and cushioned disks sit between them. Sciatica usually starts with a leaky or herniated disk in your lumbar (lower) spine.

Each spinal bone is separated and cushioned by flat, flexible, round disks of connective tissue. When a disk gets worn down — either because of an injury or years of use — its soft center can begin to push out from the hard outer ring.

“The herniated disk pushes on one of the nerves in the spinal canal,” says Vikas Patel, an orthopedic spinal surgeon at UCHealth Spine Center in Aurora. And if the pressure irritates your sciatic nerve, it can be intense. “This is almost like one’s ‘funny bone’ in the spine, where the nerve is getting continually traumatized and causing symptoms that go down the leg,” says Patel.

Other common causes of sciatica include:

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis (spinal narrowing of the spinal canal in your lower back)
  • Degenerative disk disease (breakdown of disks, which act as cushions between the vertebrae)
  • Spondylolisthesis (a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one)
  • Pregnancy
  • Osteoarthritis and bone spurs
  • Injuries

Here are some of the most common risk factors for sciatica problems: 

Injury. A past or recent injury to your lower back or spine can irritate nerves and trigger sciatica. 

Getting older. As you age, everyday wear-and-tear on your spine can lead to changes that raise your risk for sciatica. This includes things such as herniated disks and osteoarthritis.

Weight. Carrying extra weight, especially in your midsection, can put more strain on your spine and raise your risk for back pain. 

Core strength. Weak abdominal and back muscles can make it harder for your spine to stay supported and balanced.

Work. Jobs where you must lift heavy objects, bend, or sit for long hours can take a toll on your lower back.

Lifting form. Using poor posture or technique when lifting, even if you’re fit, can strain your spine and lead to nerve pain.

Diabetes. This condition can damage nerves throughout your body, even your sciatica.

Inactivity. Sitting for long stretches and not getting enough movement can weaken your muscles and raise your risk of back problems.

Smoking. Nicotine affects blood flow and healing. And it can raise your risk of chronic sciatica pain.

No obvious reason. Sometimes, sciatica may happen without any clear cause, but your doctor can help you ease your symptoms.

Everyone’s experience is different, but sciatica typically affects your back, butt, leg, or foot. Symptoms may be constant or come and go.

Sciatica pain: What does it feel like?

Many people say it feels like a zap of electricity, but you can also get “pins and needles” in the affected leg, like a part of your body has fallen asleep. 

Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of your butt and thigh, down through your leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes.

The pain may worsen when you cough or sneeze. For some people, the pain from sciatica can be serious and disabling. But not everyone has unbearable sciatica pain. For others, sciatica pain might be occasional and irritating but has the potential to get worse.

What are the red flags for sciatica? 

Back pain and other sciatica symptoms can make it hard for you to walk or stand up easily. You may not be able to sit for long periods at work or while driving. It depends on the sciatic nerve pain location, but common symptoms of sciatica can include:

  • Lower back pain
  • Pain in the rear or leg that worsens while sitting
  • Hip pain
  • Burning or tingling down the leg
  • Weakness, numbness, or a hard time moving your leg or foot
  • A constant or shooting pain on one side of the rear, leg, or hip

When to call the doctor

Seek medical attention right away if you have:

  • Fever and back pain
  • Swelling or redness in your back or spine
  • Pain that moves down your legs
  • Numbness or weakness in your upper thighs, legs, pelvis, or bottom
  • Burning when you pee or blood in your pee
  • Serious pain
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control (leaking or not being able to make it to the toilet in time)

The first thing your doctor will probably do is ask about your back and leg pain. They may ask you:

  • When did your symptoms start?
  • Do you have any recent injuries?
  • Do you have numbness or weakness in your legs?
  • Do certain positions help ease your discomfort?
  • Has the pain kept you from doing any activities?
  • Have any home remedies eased your pain at all?

They will also want to know about your lifestyle: 

  • Do you do a lot of physical work, such as heavy lifting?
  • Do you sit for long periods?
  • How often do you exercise?
  • What kind of exercises do you do?

Tests for sciatica

Your doctor will also do a physical exam to check your reflexes and see how strong your muscles are. They might have you do certain activities, such as walking on your heels or toes, to see what’s causing your pain.

If your pain is serious or causes symptoms such as muscle weakness, your doctor might order imaging tests. The tests can check for bone spurs and herniated disks.

You may get tests such as:

  • X-ray, which makes pictures of the inside of your body, to check for bone spurs (growths of normal bone)
  • CT scan, which combines a series of X-rays to get a better look at your spinal cord and spinal nerves
  • MRI, which uses radio waves and magnets to create pictures of your insides to get a detailed look at your back, disks, and spine
  • Electromyography (EMG), which measures how fast nerve signals travel through your muscles to see if you have a herniated disk, also called a “slipped,” “ruptured,” or “bulging” disk

If the tests don’t reveal the cause of your problems, you may need more testing.

Most people with sciatica get better after a few weeks. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil) can help relieve pain if your doctor suggests them. Talk with your doctor before taking any medications to make sure it won’t interact with anything else you’re taking.

There are also things you can do on your own to feel better at home. Some self-care treatments for sciatica pain include: 

Cold packs. Your doctor or physical therapist can show you how to use these and tell you what kind to get. But they might suggest you put a cold pack (or a pack of frozen peas wrapped in cloth) on your lower back several times a day for up to 20 minutes each time.

Hot packs. If a cold pack doesn’t soothe your pain, your doctor might suggest you alternate with heat after a few days. If you use a heating pad, always use the lowest setting so you don’t burn your skin.

Stretching and moving around. You can rest for a few days if you’re in a lot of pain, but movement is generally a good thing for sciatica pain. 

Stretches and low-impact movement like walking can help: 

  • Get your blood pumping, which may speed up the healing process
  • Shift your focus away from pain
  • Improve flexibility
  • Make your range of motion better

Tell your doctor if moving around makes you hurt a lot more. They can run some tests to make sure you’re not injured or making your sciatica worse. 

Sciatica exercises. Ask your doctor or physical therapist to go over which sciatica pain exercises might be right for you. 

Examples of stretches and exercises that may ease sciatica pain include:

  • Glute bridges
  • Lying knee-to-chest stretches
  • Clamshells
  • Bird dogs
  • Child’s pose stretch
  • Hamstring stretches
  • Pelvic

Your doctor may also suggest some general stretches and strengthening exercises that target the muscles around your spine and in your butt that can press on your sciatic nerve.

If home treatments don’t work, your doctor may prescribe another type of treatment. But if your symptoms are getting worse, let your doctor know right away. Here are some common types of sciatica treatments.

Medications for sciatica

Your doctor might first recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Follow the directions on the bottle for how to use them, or ask your doctor how much you should take.

If those don’t help enough, they might give you prescription medication, such as:

  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Opioids
  • Antidepressants

Physical therapy for sciatica

A physical therapist can show you how to do exercises that can:

  • Improve your posture
  • Ease pressure on your sciatic nerve
  • Make you more flexible

They’ll teach you how to make the muscles that support your back stronger.

Steroid injections for sciatica

Your doctor might suggest steroid injections, such as a cortisone shot. This medicine helps with inflammation around your sciatic nerve. And lower inflammation can mean less pain for some people. If the shot works for you, the effects usually last a few months, but they’ll wear off over time.

Alternative therapies

Sometimes, people choose to treat their symptoms using alternative treatments. Although they may not be as helpful for sciatica pain compared to other kinds of lower back pain, alternative therapies may include:

  • Yoga
  • Acupuncture
  • Spine adjustments from a chiropractor
  • Massage therapy
  • Biofeedback

Surgery for sciatica

“While most disk herniations will gradually resolve on their own over time, and many patients will get better without any kind of surgery, sometimes it is appropriate to have surgical treatment,” Patel says.

Your doctor may talk to you about sciatica surgery if your pain:

  • Lasts more than three months
  • Doesn’t get better on its own or even with physical therapy
  • Is serious and causes weakness or a loss of bladder or bowel control

If you have a bone spur or herniated disk that’s pressing on your nerves, your doctor can take it out. But surgery is usually an option after you’ve tried everything else. But you can always bring it up with your doctor at any point. Types of surgery for sciatica commonly include:

  • Diskectomy surgery removes small bits of the herniated disk
  • Laminectomy surgery removes some bone from your lower spine

“It’s worth noting that patients who are treated surgically do better faster and have a greater improvement in symptoms,” says Patel.

It depends on how serious your symptoms are and what’s causing your sciatica pain in the first place. For example, surgery to remove a herniated disk or repair another physical problem may help you feel better faster than physical therapy alone. 

But often, there’s no quick fix. A full recovery may take time, even weeks to months. But no matter which treatment you try, work with your doctor to find the best plan for you.

Will sciatica pain go away on its own? 

For many people with mild sciatica, symptoms usually get better within three to six weeks without any medical treatment. If your sciatica pain is more serious or stems from a physical problem or injury, it can take months or longer to get better.

In some cases, you may need surgery to heal or prevent nerve damage.

Sciatica is common, but it often resolves on its own in a few weeks. Tell your doctor if your symptoms last longer than that, get worse, or if you have serious pain, numbness, muscle weakness, or bowel problems. You may need medical treatment to help find and fix the problem or to prevent further health issues.

How do you know if you have sciatica?

If you feel a sharp or burning pain that starts in your lower back or butt, shooting down one leg, you might have sciatica. But it’s always a good idea to confirm with your doctor. Some people also get tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. The symptoms usually show up on one side and can range from mild to serious.

What is the fastest way to relieve sciatica pain?

You can try easing the pain by applying an ice pack or heat to the area that hurts. You can also do some gentle stretches. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can lower inflammation and discomfort. While it’s okay to rest for a bit, staying active is one of the best things you can do to recover.

What is the best way to fix sciatica?

There isn’t one treatment that works for everyone. What’s right for you depends on the cause of your sciatica pain, your overall health, and how serious your symptoms are. Your doctor can go over self-care tips, exercises for sciatica pain, or other medical treatment options.

What causes sciatica to flare up?

Triggers are different for everyone. Your sciatica pain may get worse if you sit for long periods, have a bigger body size, lift heavy things, develop a herniated disk or bone spur, or have a health condition or injury that causes nerve damage.

How do I get my sciatic nerve to stop hurting?

You may feel better if you move around, take anti-inflammatory drugs, stretch, or take other self-care measures for sciatica pain. If those don’t help, treatment for sciatica includes physical therapy, medication, and sometimes surgery.

How do I know if I’m having sciatic nerve pain?

The best way to find out what’s going on is to work with your doctor. But some red flags for sciatica include lower back pain along with numbness or tingling in your butt or down the back of your leg. You may also get muscle weakness in the leg affected by sciatica. In serious cases, you may lose control of your bowel or bladder.

Where is the sciatic nerve located: left or right?

You have two sciatic nerves that run from your spine down the back of both your legs. There’s one big bundle of nerves that goes from your butt down to your knee. That big nerve group branches off into a bunch of little nerves that go to your lower leg, foot, and toes.

When is surgery required for sciatica?

Your doctor may suggest sciatica surgery if you have:

  • Serious pain that doesn’t get better with other treatments
  • Signs of nerve damage
  • Symptoms that don’t improve after several weeks of physical therapy, medications, or other nonsurgical options