Sciatic pain can be anything from a nuisance to debilitating. It runs along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, and it can have several different causes. That's why it's best to have it examined.
Common causes
- A disc problem in the lower back, such as a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root
- A tight piriformis muscle (piriformis syndrome). This muscle deep in the buttock stabilizes the pelvis and helps rotate the leg; the sciatic nerve runs right next to it. Long hours sitting at a desk or driving, poor posture, an altered walk from another injury, sitting with your legs crossed or exercising without stretching can all tighten it.
- Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) or arthritis in the lower back, especially as we age
At your visit we'll examine you to sort out the likely cause and what's keeping the problem going.
Stretches for a tight piriformis
These stretches are commonly used for piriformis tension. Move slowly, hold each for about 30 seconds, and stop if your pain gets worse or spreads further down the leg. It's best to have us check that you're doing them correctly.
Get emergency care for numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new loss of bladder or bowel control, or rapidly worsening leg weakness.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Our doctors are doctors of chiropractic (D.C.), not medical doctors. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.