Misconceptions About Sciatica: 5 Things You Should Know
Leave a CommentSciatica, a painful burning sensation from the buttock down the thigh, calf, or foot, is a common condition many experience. In any given year, 13-40% of the population may be affected by sciatica. The pain associated with sciatica can lead to lost workdays, lowered capacity for health through physical activity, and reduced quality of life. Despite sciatica affecting a significant portion of the population, inaccuracies and misconceptions persist about the condition. Let’s review a few of those misconceptions so you can take charge of your health!
Misconception #1: “Sciatica is an issue with your leg.” Sciatica feels like pain or cramping along the back side of your leg. However, a collection of nerves in your lower back is usually the culprit. Nerves from our spinal cord exit the spinal column travel to their destination in our arms, trunk, and legs. Several nerves bundle together at the lowest part of our spine, the lumbosacral region, to form the sciatic nerve.2 The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in our body. Sciatica irritates this sciatic nerve, usually very near the spine. Even though it feels like the issue is in the thigh or calf, you need to pay attention to your lower back region.
Misconception #2: “Only older adults and seniors get sciatica pain.” A high school gymnast or a 93-year-old grandmother can both get sciatica symptoms. Sciatica is caused by mechanical or chemical (think inflammatory) irritation at the lumbosacral region of the spine. Exercises, especially core strength and hip mobility, are protective against developing sciatica. However, this is not related to age. Evidence suggests that people who spend long periods sitting for their occupation are more likely to develop sciatica, but this is again independent of their age1.
Misconception #3: “If you have sciatica, you need to get imaging right away.” Sciatica can be confirmed with a physical examination. That means your physical therapist can take you through some postures or motions to determine to assess for sciatica. Seeking an MRI when you have sciatica is not always advised, and this is for a few reasons.3 First, an MRI is an expensive and time-consuming option. Second, an MRI of the spine will show signs of aging even if that person has no back pain. In the same way that our skin develops wrinkles as we age, the inside of our body might not look as it did in our youth, regardless of how our back feels. Finally, waiting for an MRI takes time that could be spent working towards healing. This brings us to the next point…
Misconception #4: “The best way to heal is with rest.” The truth is that sciatica is best treated actively rather than spending time on the couch.3 Your physical therapist will combine manual techniques to reduce the lumbosacral irritation and therapeutic activities to strengthen your midsection. Your physical therapist will take into consideration how long your symptoms have lasted, how far down into your leg your symptoms travel, and your unique physical activity requirements. Additionally, your physical therapist will show you nerve desensitizing methods, often called self-neural glides, to put out the flames of sciatica at home in between PT appointments. None of this involves sitting on the couch and waiting for sciatica pain to disappear.
Misconception #5: “Sciatica is permanent.” True, some tricky cases of sciatica can last multiple weeks. Also true, you are more likely to develop sciatica if you have experienced it in the past. However, sciatica is frequently and successfully treated with physical therapy. You and your therapist together will determine your prognosis (likelihood of success in PT) and duration on day one. Toward the end of your therapy, your physical therapist will review self-stretches and exercises to act as preventive measures against future sciatica.
Stay Ahead of Pain
If you are starting to feel pain in your buttock or upper thigh, schedule a free assessment at any Athletico location! The sooner you and your physical therapist start a rehabilitation program, the sooner you can expect to be out of pain!
*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
*Per federal guidelines, beneficiaries of plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, VHA and other federally funded plans are not eligible for free assessments.
The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.
References:
1. Stafford, M. A., Peng, P., & Hill, D. A. (2007). Sciatica: a review of history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and the role of epidural steroid injection in management. British journal of anaesthesia, 99(4), 461–473. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aem238
2. Davis, D., Maini, K., Taqi, M., & Vasudevan, A. (2024). Sciatica. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
3. Jensen, R. K., Kongsted, A., Kjaer, P., & Koes, B. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 367, l6273. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6273
