Sciatica is a painful condition that affects millions of people every year. It often starts as a dull ache in your lower back, but for many, it quickly turns into sharp, shooting pain that runs down the leg. Some people even feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot. If you’ve ever asked yourself “what can cause sciatica?”, this article is here to help.
Knowing the cause of sciatica is the first step toward relief. We believe understanding your body gives you power over your pain and helps you make better choices for treatment.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in your body—gets irritated or compressed. This nerve starts in your lower back, travels through your hips and buttocks, and runs down the back of each leg. It controls many of the muscles in your legs and gives sensation to your thighs, calves, and feet.
It might feel like just a typical back pain, but sciatica is different. To know which one is it, you have to know what does sciatica feel like. You should look out for symptoms of sciatica like there is a burning pain or tingling sensation from your lower back or buttocks down to your leg up to your foot. Sometimes it might feel like like it’s an electric shock.
This happens when your sciatic nerve gets pinched. The discomfort can be mild or severe, and for some, it makes walking, sitting, or even sleeping difficult.
What Causes Sciatica
So, what can cause sciatica? Here are some of the most common sciatica causes:
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is one of the top reasons people develop sciatica. Discs act like cushions between your spine bones, but when one slips or bulges out of place, it can press on the sciatic nerve. The pressure on the nerve disrupts the normal signals that the nerve sends, leading to the symptoms of sciatica.
Symptoms: Pain that radiates from your back to your legs, numbness, or weakness.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces inside your spine narrow, which puts pressure on your nerves. This is common as we get older and is often linked to arthritis. The narrowing can be due to aging, arthritis, or other factors.
Symptoms: Pain or cramping in your legs, especially when standing or walking for long periods.
Piriformis Syndrome
This syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle spasms and squeezes the sciatic nerve. Your piriformis muscle, located deep in your buttocks, can tighten or spasm, irritating the sciatic nerve. While not as common, it can still cause significant discomfort. It’s less common than other causes, but it can still lead to significant pain and discomfort in the lower back and leg.
Symptoms: Deep buttock pain that radiates down your leg.
Spondylolisthesis
This happens when one of your spine bones or vertebra slips forward over another. When a vertebra slips forward, it can reduce the space for the nerve to pass through, leading to irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This misalignment often leads to pain that radiates down the leg.
Symptoms: Back pain, stiffness, and leg pain that worsens with movement.
Injury or Trauma
Car accidents, falls, or sports injuries can injure the spine, muscles, or discs, leading to nerve compression and sciatica pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
With age, your spinal discs lose their flexibility and cushioning ability, which can lead to nerve compression and sciatica symptoms.
Risk Factors for Sciatica
Age
As you get older, your spine undergoes changes that can increase the risk of developing sciatica. As mentioned earlier, wear and tear over time makes conditions like spinal stenosis or disc problems more likely. Disc degeneration and other age-related spinal issues are common causes.
Occupation
Jobs that require heavy lifting, twisting, or sitting for long periods can increase your risk of developing sciatica. These activities can put stress on the spine and lead to nerve compression.
Lifestyle Choices
Lack of exercise, poor posture, and smoking can also contribute to the development of sciatica. These factors can lead to poor spinal health and increase the likelihood of nerve irritation.
Body Weight
Carrying extra weight puts additional stress on your spine. This added pressure can lead to conditions that cause sciatica, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Health problems
Health problem like diabetes can increase your risk of nerve damage, including sciatica. High blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic neuropathy, which can affect the sciatic nerve.
What Doctor to See for Sciatica
If you’re experiencing symptoms of sciatica and other things like sudden loss of bowel control, severe weakness in one or both legs, or you cannot walk or stand anymore due to pain, it is best to go a specialized doctor. Before you go to any specialist, you should know the right kind of doctor to see for sciatica. Below are your choices:
- Primary Care Doctor: Good for initial evaluation and basic treatment recommendations.
- Sciatica Doctor (Physical Therapist): Experts at diagnosing movement issues and providing personalized exercises, stretches, and hands-on care to relieve pain.
- Orthopedic or Spine Specialist: Can help if surgery is needed.
- Pain Management Specialists: Offer injections or other procedures for severe cases.
For most people, starting with primary care is the best. They can conduct an evaluation of what is going on with your body. They can tell exactly what kind of pain your dealing with and the best course of action to do. They can help you avoid unnecessary medication or surgery and guide you toward lasting relief. For treatments, going to a sciatica doctor would be best.
Why Choose Physical Therapy for Sciatica
Physical therapists focus on the root cause of sciatica, not just the symptoms. Through targeted exercises, posture training, and gentle hands-on techniques, physical therapists like a sciatica doctor help reduce nerve irritation and restore your movement.
Conclusion
Sciatica pain can be frustrating, but understanding its causes and knowing what doctor to see for sciatica is the first step toward relief. You do not have to live with pain every day.
If you’re in Palm Beach Gardens and struggling with back or leg pain, visit a physical therapy in Palm Beach Gardens. They will find the root cause of your sciatica and create a treatment plan designed to get you moving and feeling better—without relying on pain medication or surgery.
Submit the form below and we’ll reply to you as soon as we can.
Always remember that early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in managing pain and improving your quality of life.
Have Questions?