[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/is-my-back-pain-sciatica\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/is-my-back-pain-sciatica\/","headline":"Is My Back Pain Sciatica?","name":"Is My Back Pain Sciatica?","description":"Sciatica pain can feel like it\u2019s shooting through the back of the legs, sometimes even down to the toes.  Learn more about the reasons behind sciatica. ","datePublished":"2018-09-24","dateModified":"2019-12-10","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/sciatrica-3.bmp","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/sciatrica-3.bmp","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/is-my-back-pain-sciatica\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":906,"articleBody":"Updated Oct. 10, 2019Sciatica refers to pain caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. The nerve starts in the lumbosacral plexus in the lower back portion of the spinal cord and runs down, through the buttock, the back of the leg, and into the foot. Herniated discs or other degenerative back conditions, piriformis syndrome, and tumors can compress the nerve, leading to sciatica.Pain from sciatica can feel like electricity shooting down the back of your leg, even into the foot or toes. Some people have numbness or tingling, while others experience sciatica as dull pain or a burning sensation. Coughing, sneezing, and laughing may make the pain more intense.Your lower back or leg pain may not be linked to sciatica. See your doctor to find out the reason for your pain.Symptoms of Sciatica PainSciatica pain can start in the lower back and radiate downward, into your leg and foot or toes. The radiating pain can help distinguish sciatica from other lower back pain.Common symptoms of sciatica include:Varying pain ranging from dull to sharp\u201cElectric shock\u201d feelingNumbness (\u201cpins and needles\u201d)Burning or tingling sensationWeaknessWhat Causes Sciatica Pain?Many different factors can cause sciatica pain, from medical conditions to environmental and lifestyle causes:Ruptured discPiriformis syndromeSpinal stenosisPregnancyOsteoarthritisInjuries such as pelvic fractures and spinal injuriesTumorsInfectionsLyme DiseaseSitting for long periods of timeCarrying heavy loadsObesityAgeClothing\u201cIt is important to learn the cause of your sciatica, because different causes will lead to different treatment options,\u201d says\u00a0Matt El-Kadi, MD, PhD, director of the\u00a0UPMC Passavant Spine Center. \u201cThe first step is to see a doctor for an examination.Risk Factors for Sciatica PainRisk factors for sciatic pain include:Age: The wear and tear of aging can increase your risk.Obesity: Extra weight can put extra pressure on your spine, which can lead to sciatica.Smoking: Studies have linked cigarette use to lumbar pain, including sciatica.Diabetes: Diabetes has been linked with musculoskeletal conditions, including sciatica.Stress: Psychological conditions such as stress have been found to cause physical conditions, including sciatica.Sedentary lifestyle: People who drive a vehicle or sit at a desk for most of the day are at risk.Driving: In addition to sitting for long periods of time, the vibration of the vehicle can cause problems.Physical exertion: Lifting heavy loads, such as at work or in the gym, can increase your risk of developing sciatic pain.Sciatica Pain PreventionBecause several causes of sciatic pain are behavioral, making some changes in lifestyle could help you prevent it.Get up and move around: If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, you can try to reduce your risk of developing sciatica by getting up and moving as much as possible. Try to take at least one \u201cmovement break\u201d per hour.Exercise regularly: Low-impact workouts like water aerobics, stationary bikes, and back stretches can either help treat your sciatica or prevent it from returning.Have proper posture: When you\u2019re sitting down, try to keep your back straight.Lift properly: Physical labor can put pressure on the spine, so practice proper lifting techniques. Use your legs, not your back, for strength.Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Being overweight puts extra pressure on the spine. Maintain a healthy weight to help decrease your chances of developing sciatica.Think about your clothes and accessories: Wearing high heels or tight pants can trigger some of the causes of sciatic pain. So can keeping items like cell phones and thick wallets in your back pocket, as they prevent proper posture.When to See Your DoctorIn most cases, sciatic pain will go away with rest, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, heat and\/or ice, and over-the-counter painkillers.Consult your doctor if your pain isn\u2019t going away with normal treatment, if it\u2019s worsening, or if it\u2019s interfering with daily life. Steroid injections, and in severe cases, surgery, might become necessary.Signs of more potentially serious conditions include:Experiencing sciatica on both sidesPain or numbness in both legs that\u2019s getting worseProblems with urination \u2013 either stopping or startingTrouble controlling bowelsSciatica associated with high feverPersistent sciatica with weight lossIf you\u2019re experiencing those symptoms, it could be a more serious back condition that requires immediate treatment.SourcesMurray J. McAllister, PsyD. Sciatica. Institute for Chronic Pain. Rahman Shiri, MD, PhD, and Kobra Falah-Hassani, PhD. The Effect of Smoking on the Risk of Sciatica: A Meta-analysis. The American Journal of Medicine.. Miranda, Helena, MD; Viikari-Juntura, Eira, MD, DMSc; Martikainen, Rami, MSc; Takala, Esa-Pekka, MD, DMSc; Riihim\u00e4ki, Hilkka, MD, DMSc. Individual Factors, Occupational Loading, and Physical Exercise as Predictors of Sciatic Pain. Spine Journal. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Low Back Pain in Diabetes Mellitus and Importance of Preventive Approach.  U.S. National Library of Medicine. Sciatica.  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Diseases & Conditions: Sciatica. OrthoInfo. Harvard Health Publishing. Sciatica: Of all the nerve. “Sciatica does not need to be a pain to treat. There are several ways to minimize and manage flare-ups.”. Steven J. Atlas, MD, MPH. Taming the pain of sciatica: For most people, time heals and less is more. Harvard Health Blog. Allan H. Ropper, M.D., and Ross D. Zafonte, D.O.. Sciatica. The New England Journal of Medicine. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Is My Back Pain Sciatica?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/is-my-back-pain-sciatica\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]