Sciatica: Symptoms, Causes, and Relief
- Sara Becker, PT, DPT
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
If you’ve ever felt a sharp, radiating pain shooting down your leg, chances are you’ve experienced sciatica. This common condition affects millions and can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating. Whether your sciatica symptoms are brand new or your sciatica flare-ups keep coming back, understanding the root cause of your pain is the first step toward lasting relief.
Let’s break it down: what sciatica is, why it happens, and most importantly—how to feel better.
Disclaimer: The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. While most people experience sciatica on one side, some may feel sciatica on both sides, especially if multiple spinal levels are involved.
What Causes Sciatica?
There’s no single cause of sciatica, but the most common sciatica causes include:
Herniated or bulging discs
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Piriformis syndrome (when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve)
Pregnancy, due to pressure on the pelvis
Muscle imbalances or poor posture
In some cases, sciatica getting worse may signal an underlying issue that needs professional attention, like progressive nerve compression or spinal instability.
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica pain can vary from person to person, but common sciatica symptoms include:
Sharp, burning, or shooting pain in the lower back, buttock, and leg
Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
Muscle weakness in the affected leg
Sciatica worse at night, especially when lying flat or turning over
Difficulty standing or walking due to nerve irritation
Pain can be constant or come and go, often triggered by movement, prolonged sitting, or certain sleeping positions.
Sciatica Location Matters
Depending on which spinal nerve is compressed, you might feel:
Sciatica on the right side (common with disc issues on the right)
Sciatica on the left side (common with disc issues on the left)
Pain radiating down the back or side of the leg
Pain in the foot or toes in more severe cases
Mapping your sciatica location helps with proper sciatica diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Diagnosing Sciatica
A thorough sciatica test includes:
A review of your medical history
Physical examination
Range of motion and strength testing
Imaging like MRI or CT scan (if needed)
When to See Sciatica Specialists
If your pain is:
Persistent for more than 6 weeks
Getting worse over time
Involving bowel or bladder changes
Not responding to care
It’s time to see sciatica specialists who understand both the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. That’s where Releaseology comes in.
Sciatica Relief Options
1. Targeted Manual Therapy
Hands-on techniques such as myofascial release, dry needling, and neurokinetic therapy (NKT) can help release tension, improve mobility, and address muscular imbalances contributing to hip pain.
2. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Incorporating specific exercises to improve hip mobility and strength can be a game-changer. Focus on:
Hip flexor and hamstring stretches to reduce tightness
Piriformis and hip rotator stretches
Glute activation exercises to improve stability
Core strengthening to support proper hip alignment
3. Postural and Movement Corrections
Many cases of hip pain are linked to movement dysfunctions. Identifying and correcting improper walking, running, or sitting habits can help alleviate pain over time a neurokinetic therapist (NKT) or physical therapist can identify this
4. Pain Relief Modalities
Cupping therapy to improve circulation and relieve muscle tension
Cold therapy (e.g., ice massage, cryotherapy) to reduce inflammation. Thermipaq has a a great cold pack that stays cold or purchase a cold massager to roll over the symptomatic area.
Heat therapy to relax tight muscles and improve blood flow. Apply a moist heating pad for 15–20 minutes. Avoid excessive heat to prevent burns. NOTE that moist heating pads are the most effective. My favorite brands are Thermophore and Thermipaq
Please Note: Some links on my site are affiliate links, which means that I collect a small portion of your sale, at no extra cost to you. This helps with the cost of running a website, providing services, etc.
Topical Magnesium - our muscles use magnesium to contract and relax so using it topically can decrease muscle tightness (without upsetting your stomach). My favorite is Trace Minerals products, specifically the Magnesium Lotion (the spray is also effective). You can get 20% off with my Fullscript link, you just need to sign-up for an account but can continue to use this indefinitely
The Releaseology Difference in Sciatica
At Releaseology, I specialize in helping you get better fast—not by masking symptoms, but by getting to the source. Whether your pain stems from spinal stenosis, scar tissue, muscle imbalances, or past injuries, I tailor your session to you
One-on-one sessions
Root-cause diagnostics
A mix of hands-on therapies and movement retraining
I don’t believe in cookie-cutter plans. I believe in lasting transformation through nervous system regulation, manual release, and smart movement strategies.
I look at muscle compensations that most clinicians haven't been taught: scar tissue, ligaments, jaw, diaphragm, pelvic floor and more!
Ready to finally feel relief? Book a session with me today and experience the difference! Your hips will thank you.
These are my three services that include an assessment and evaluation of your pain. If you have specific questions for your care, you can always e-mail me at sara@releaseology.com or text 480.712.0699 or book a virtual consult
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this site and my posts are for educational and informational purposes only and not meant as medical advice. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare professional. There is absolutely no assurance that any statement contained or cited in an article touching on medical matters is true, correct, precise, or up-to-date. Please consult a clinician that is familiar with your care, if you have specific questions for your own care.
More from Releaseology
Don't forget to check out other resources on my site! You can book a session with me here, find a list of conditions I treat here, find more about me here, learn how to regulate your own vagus nerve and nervous system here and read more on my blog here. Lastly, follow me on my social channels: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!
Comments