Changes in the spinal column, such as bone spurs and herniated disks, can lead to sciatic nerve issues.

If you have back pain that may include sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy), consult with one of our board-certified primary care doctors online today. They will evaluate your symptoms and may be able to prescribe medications to help your back pain. Get a new prescription to treat sciatica or refill an existing prescription today.*
*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of sciatica or low back pain. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately by calling 911.
The most common causes of sciatica are herniated discs or degenerative changes in the joints of the spine, both of which can compress the sciatic nerve and lead to pain. In rare cases, a tumor or disease, such as diabetes, can pinch or damage the sciatic nerve. Multiple risk factors can also increase your risk of sciatica, including:
Changes in the spinal column, such as bone spurs and herniated disks, can lead to sciatic nerve issues.
Excess body weight increases stress on the spinal cord, which can lead to a pinched nerve.
Jobs that require driving for long periods, lifting objects, or twisting your body can hurt your sciatic nerve.
People who sit for prolonged periods are more likely to experience sciatica.
Although patients may experience sciatica symptoms differently, some common symptoms include:
Mild or severe pain along the sciatic nerve
Numbness in the affected leg
Pins-and-needles sensations in the lower leg, foot, and toes
Pain that worsens with movement
Much more rare, but also more severe, symptoms may include:
Weakness in the leg or foot
Loss of bowel and bladder control
Sciatica treatment provides pain relief and boosts mobility. In some cases, the pain will go away with self-care treatments. Other people, however, may need to see healthcare professionals to relieve sciatica. Some effective self-care treatments for sciatica include:
Applying hot and cold packs. Apply a cold pack for 20 minutes several times a day, and switch to a hot pack after the first few days. If you're still in pain, alternate between heating pads and cold packs to soothe your compressed nerve.
Take over-the-counter medication. Take medications to relieve pain and calm your irritated nerve. The most common over-the-counter medications for sciatica treatment, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.
Decrease heavy activity and perform gentle range of motion exercises and stretches. Take it easy and treat your body to some self-care with gentle stretches. Learn proper stretches and range of motion activities from wellness professionals to help with lower back pain.
When self-care measures don't relieve sciatica nerve pain, your healthcare professional may recommend the following treatments:
Physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you develop a stretching and exercise routine to reduce pain. Oftentimes, muscular stability and proper posture can alleviate pain and prevent flares significantly.
Prescription medication. Depending on the severity of your pain, your healthcare professional may prescribe medications to treat your symptoms.
Alternative therapies. Your healthcare provider may recommend alternative therapies, such as biofeedback, massage therapy, or acupuncture, to relieve sciatica pain.
Surgery. Only a small percentage of people with sciatica pain require surgery. If sciatica persists for a few weeks despite professional treatment, your doctor may refer you to a spine specialist to take detailed images, perform a physical exam, and determine the best treatment.
In addition to over-the-counter medications, prescription medications can help reduce sciatic nerve pain and soothe inflammation. Some prescription medications for sciatica pain include:
Although it's not always possible to prevent sciatica, simple lifestyle changes can help to lower your risk.
Here are some self-care measures to protect your spinal nerve.
Make physical activity part of your routine. Your lower back muscles play a key role in posture. If you're experiencing sciatic pain, ask your healthcare provider about specific exercises for pain relief.
Practice proper posture. Choose chairs with lower back support. If you need some extra support, place a pillow in the small of your back.
Lift with your knees. Avoid lifting with your upper body if you're lifting objects. Instead, keep your back straight and bend at the knees.
Maintain a healthy weight. Carrying too much abdominal weight can lead to both a worsening sedentary lifestyle and also put stress on your back that can lead to injury and pain.
If a two-week trial of self-care treatments fails to provide pain relief, it's time to see a doctor for sciatica pain.
You should seek immediate medical attention by visiting an ER or calling 911 if:
You experience unbearable pain that lasts more than a few hours
You lose feeling in the same leg
You lose bowel or bladder control
You experience sudden pain after experiencing physical trauma like a car accident or a fall
The term 'sciatica' is often misused, and people often attempt to self-diagnose and self-treat the wrong cause of their pain. Some related medical conditions that can cause lower back pain include:
The best treatment for sciatica will vary depending on the severity of pain and the cause of pain. Your doctor may perform imaging tests and take a complete medical history to diagnose sciatica and determine the best treatment for you.
Over-the-counter medications are often the best treatment option for acute sciatica. If you're experiencing chronic sciatica, your doctor may prescribe prescription pain medication to soothe your sciatic nerve.
Alternating between heating pads and cold packs can provide immediate pain relief. Ice packs help reduce pain and inflammation, while heat boosts blood flow to the sciatic nerve. Enrolling in physical therapy as soon as possible can also lead you toward the path of recovery and injury prevention.
Acute sciatica often goes away with self-care treatments and does not require medical attention. Meanwhile, chronic sciatica often requires professional sciatica treatment and does not subside with self-care.
Without treatment, some cases of sciatica may lead to permanent nerve damage.
The symptoms of sciatica may become worse if you sit or stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, or twist your body. Sudden movements, such as sneezing or coughing, can also worsen sciatica pain, according to Cleveland Clinic.
While acute sciatica can last anywhere from four to eight weeks, chronic sciatica involves persistent sciatica pain that lasts for more than eight weeks.
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Cleveland Clinic. Sciatica. Accessed on May 15, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica#:~:text=Sciatica%20pain%20is%20caused%20by,time%20and%20self%2Dcare%20treatments.
John Hopkins Medicine. Sciatica. Accessed on May 15, 2022. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sciatica
Mayo Clinic. Sciatica. Accessed on May 15, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435.
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