What is the cause of my sciatic nerve pain?

Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, rarely just appears on its own. It’s often caused by underlying issues in your lower back, and physical therapists can help you learn more about what is causing your sciatica nerve pain. 

Sciatica is a common source of lower back pain, and it’s reported that up to 5% of people develop sciatica annually. This condition occurs when one of the sciatic nerves in your back is pinched or irritated. Sciatica typically causes pain in areas like the lower back, buttocks and legs. Working with a physical therapist can help you learn what the source of your sciatic nerve pain is. Doing so can also help you find effective treatment for your sciatica and its symptoms. 

What are some common causes of sciatic nerve pain?

Many issues can trigger sciatica and the pain it causes, and learning which issue is affecting you is the first step toward treating your pain. A few issues that commonly lead to sciatica are: 

• Herniated discs — This condition is when a disc in your lumbar spine is damaged and its inner material pokes out. It’s reported that about 90% of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated disc. The inner material can press against the nerve directly and lead to pain. An acidic chemical in the inner disc material can also trigger inflammation around the sciatic nerve. 

• Spinal degeneration — The cartilage, discs and other tissue in your spine tend to wear out as you age. One result of this degeneration is inflammation in the area around the spine, which can irritate a sciatic nerve. 

• Piriformis muscle inflammation — The piriformis muscle is found in the buttock, and it’s near where the sciatic nerve passes through the pelvis. When this muscle becomes inflamed or tense, it can rub against the sciatic nerve and irritate it. 

What is a physical therapist able to do for people with sciatic nerve pain?

Physical therapists are far from helpless when it comes to addressing sciatica. The reality is that they offer many techniques that can help address this painful condition. A few of the most commonly used physical therapy methods for sciatica include: 

• McKenzie Method® sessions that focus on helping you learn about and treat the source of your pain and prevent similar issues in the future. 

• Soft tissue mobilization intended to reduce tension and inflammation in soft tissue around the affected sciatic nerve. 

• Therapeutic exercises designed to help strengthen muscles that support your lower back. 

Find treatment for your sciatic nerve pain at Advent PT

Ready to learn what is causing your sciatica nerve pain and find effective treatment for it? Our Advent Physical Therapy team is ready and willing to help you achieve both of these goals. We offer free screenings intended to reveal the underlying cause of your sciatica. In addition, our physical therapists can build you a customized therapy plan designed to reduce your pain and prevent its return. You can even get therapy from us without leaving home if you sign up for a virtual therapy or at-home care appointment with our team.

Contact our team today for more information about the treatment options we offer for sciatica or to schedule an initial appointment.