SCIATICA TREATMENT
Sciatica can cause sharp, burning, or shooting pain that travels from your lower back through your buttocks and down one leg. You may also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness that makes sitting, standing, or walking uncomfortable. At MVM Health, our pain specialists evaluate your symptoms, identify possible causes, and discuss personalized sciatica treatment options to help manage pain and improve mobility.
Book a visit with a pain specialist near you at one of our clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, or Arizona.
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Meet Our Expert Team
Board Certified Expert
At MVM Health — Movement. Vitality. Medicine. — we are committed to providing exceptional pain, vein, and wellness services that empower individuals to reclaim their health and well-being. With our team of Harvard-trained experts, we strive to deliver transformative outcomes that restore comfort, confidence, and quality of life. MVM Health’s mission is to help every patient relieve discomfort, restore motion, and renew life.
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
TARIQ ALFARRA, DO
JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
Rishi Sheth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Carrie Ward, CNP
Franklin University
Kruti Solanki, CNP
Drexel University
Christy Daniels, CNP
Chamberlain University
Heerina Kittel, CNP
Maryville University
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
Rishi Seth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
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What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it become irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back through your buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica typically affects one side of the body and may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the affected nerve pathway.
Acute vs. Chronic Sciatica. Acute sciatica often develops suddenly and may improve within a few weeks with appropriate care. Chronic sciatica involves symptoms that persist for more than three months and may be associated with ongoing nerve irritation or an underlying spinal condition.
Mild vs. Severe Sciatica. Mild sciatica may cause occasional tingling, aching, or discomfort in the lower back, buttock, or leg. More severe cases can involve persistent shooting pain, numbness, or muscle weakness that interferes with walking, sitting, or daily activities.
WHERE DOES SCIATICA PAIN OCCUR?
LOWER BACK (LUMBAR SPINE)
Sciatica often begins in the lower back when a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal narrowing irritates a nerve root. You may experience aching, sharp pain, or discomfort that spreads into the buttock and leg. However, some people have leg pain without noticeable lower back pain.
BUTTOCKS AND HIPS
Sciatica commonly causes pain deep within one buttock that may extend toward the hip or upper thigh. The discomfort can feel sharp, burning, or aching and may become more noticeable when sitting for long periods or changing positions.
BACK OF THE THIGH
Sciatic nerve pain frequently travels down the back of the thigh, sometimes reaching the knee. You may experience shooting pain, tingling, or numbness that makes sitting, bending, walking, or performing everyday activities uncomfortable.
LOWER LEG AND FOOT
Sciatica can extend below the knee into the calf, ankle, or foot. Depending on the affected nerve root, symptoms may include burning pain, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. Some people also notice difficulty lifting the foot or toes.
COMMON CAUSES OF SCIATICA
HERNIATED OR BULGING DISC
SPINAL STENOSIS
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE.
BONE SPURS AND ARTHRITIS
SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME
SPINAL INJURIES
FORAMINAL STENOSIS
Risk Factors
Sciatica can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk
- Age: Age-related changes in spinal discs and joints can increase the risk of nerve compression.
- Prolonged Sitting: Sitting for extended periods may aggravate lower back problems and sciatica symptoms.
- Heavy Lifting: Frequent bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects can place additional strain on spinal discs.
- Excess Body Weight: Additional weight can increase stress on the lower back and surrounding structures.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can increase the risk of nerve damage and may complicate nerve-related symptoms.
- Previous Back Injuries: Past spinal injuries may contribute to disc problems or nerve irritation.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms usually affect one side of the body and may include
- Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that travels from the lower back into one leg.
- Pain that spreads through the buttock, hip, or back of the thigh.
- Numbness or tingling in the affected leg or foot.
- Muscle weakness in the leg, ankle, or foot.
- Pain that worsens during prolonged sitting, coughing, or sneezing.
- An electric shock-like sensation along the affected nerve pathway.
- Difficulty standing, walking, or completing everyday activities.
- Discomfort that extends below the knee into the calf or foot.
When Pain Needs Urgent Care
Most cases of sciatica are not medical emergencies. However, seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or difficulty urinating.
- Numbness around the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs.
- Sudden or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs.
- Severe pain following a fall, car accident, or other injury.
- Fever, chills, or feeling seriously unwell alongside severe back pain.
- New or rapidly worsening numbness affecting both legs.
These symptoms may indicate serious nerve compression, cauda equina syndrome, infection, or another condition requiring emergency medical evaluation.
Book a Sciatica Pain Evaluation
SCIATICA TREATMENT OPTIONS
SI joint injections deliver medication into the sacroiliac joint to help reduce inflammation and relieve lower back, buttock, or leg pain caused by SI joint dysfunction.
Anti-inflammatory medicine is placed near irritated spinal nerves to ease pain that radiates into an arm or leg, such as from a herniated disc or stenosis.
Medicine is placed in or near the small joints of the spine to ease arthritis pain. A positive response also helps confirm where the pain starts.
Controlled heat quiets the small nerves that carry pain signals from arthritic spine joints. It’s often considered after a successful nerve block.
A small device sends mild electrical pulses that change how pain signals reach the brain. It’s used for long-term pain that hasn’t responded to other care, and it starts with a short trial.
Trigger point injections target tight, painful muscle areas to help reduce muscle tension, relieve referred pain, and improve movement in patients with muscle-related discomfort.
EASING SCIATICA PAIN AT HOME
If sciatica pain continues, worsens, or interferes with walking, sleeping, or daily activities, schedule an evaluation with a pain specialist at MVM Health.
Use Heat or Cold Therapy. Apply a Cold Pack to the Painful Area for 15–20 Minutes to Ease Discomfort. Gentle Heat May Help Relax Tight Muscles. Always Wrap Packs in a Towel to Protect Your Skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people notice improvement within several weeks, although recovery time varies. Symptoms caused by significant nerve compression may last longer. If pain persists, worsens, or interferes with daily activities, a pain specialist can assess whether additional treatment is appropriate.
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