What is sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that starts in your back and goes down your leg along the sciatic nerve.

Your sciatic nerve comes from nerve roots in your lower spine. It passes through your hip and buttock and down the back of your leg to your knee. Branches of this nerve go all the way down to your foot.

Sciatica can be painful and affect your quality of life. Many people recover within a few months. Some people may still have symptoms from sciatica after a year.

It is sometimes known as sciatica pain or sciatica nerve pain.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms may include:

• pain, which may radiate from your buttocks to your knee or foot
• lower back pain
• numbness or weakness

You may notice your sciatica pain gets worse when you cough, sneeze, twist, bend or take a deep breath. Symptoms often affect only one side of your body.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica happens when your sciatic nerve is irritated, inflamed or under pressure. A common cause is a herniated lumbar disc. Other, less common causes may include:

• spondylolisthesis
• narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)
• tumours

During pregnancy, changes to your muscles and ligaments may increase your risk of sciatica.

When should I see my doctor?

You should seek urgent medical care if you have sudden lower back pain and you have:

• a history of cancer, have an autoimmune condition or have unintentionally lost weight
• sudden trouble controlling your bladder or bowels
• severe pain when lying down or at night
• recently had a bacterial infection or fever
• tingling, numbness or weakness in your legs
• a history of intravenous drug abuse
• are younger than 16 years of age or older than 50 years of age

You should see your doctor if:

• you have symptoms of sciatica
• you have been diagnosed and treated for sciatica for 4 weeks but your symptoms have not improved
• you are worried about your symptoms

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose sciatica by:

• asking about your symptoms and medical history
• examining you
• arranging tests, such as an x-ray, CT scan, MRI of your lower spine and blood tests

Your doctor will decide which tests are needed based on your symptoms.

How is sciatica treated?

Treatment for sciatica may include:

• exercises and physiotherapy
• medicines — such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), muscle relaxants, medicines for nerve pain or opioids
• steroid injections
• surgery — if you have severe symptoms and medicines and physiotherapy have not helped

Exercises and physiotherapy:

Do stretches and low-impact activities, such as walking or swimming to improve strength and flexibility. Avoid high-impact activities, such as running and standing weights.

When you work, make sure have a good posture. Use back and arm supports on your chair and adjust your seat height. Avoid standing or sitting in a bad posture for long periods.

Keep working and continue your usual activities as best you can. It may take time to feel improvements and even longer to feel relief. Learn more about talking to your employer about illness.

What are the complications of sciatica?

Sometimes, sciatic pain does not go away after a few months and may lead to long-term (chronic) pain. Your symptoms may also affect your quality of life and mental health.

Talk to your doctor a mental health professional if you are struggling emotionally because of sciatica.

Can sciatica be prevented?

You can lower your risk of sciatica by protecting your back. Here are tips that may help you:

• Maintain a good posture.
• Try not to sit or stand for long periods.
• Change positions often to lessen pressure on your back.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking if you smoke.
• Lift safely by bending your knees, not your back.

Once you've recovered from sciatica, continue low-impact exercises to help prevent it from coming back.

Resources and support

Learn more about sciatica nerve pain and how to manage it:

• The Government of South Australia provides tips for managing symptoms of sciatica.
• Painaustralia offers information about nerve pain.
• Musculoskeletal Health Australia offers peer support groups for people living with musculoskeletal conditions.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other languages

Musculoskeletal Health Australia has translated resources about pain and exercise in several languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Pain Management Network offers resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people living with pain.