Medically Reviewed: 2 October 2026 • Last Updated: 2 October 2026 • 8 minute read
What sciatica means, how to recognise it, which symptoms need urgent care, and what can help.
Sciatica pain is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of one leg, often with tingling, numbness or weakness. It is a symptom, not a disease. In about 9 out of 10 cases, the cause is a herniated disc, sometimes called a slipped disc, in the lower back pressing on a nerve root.
Most sciatica improves within weeks without surgery. A small number of symptoms, though, point to serious nerve damage and need emergency care. This guide covers what sciatica means, the 6 common signs, the red flags, how doctors diagnose it, and what the evidence says works.
Quick Answer
- What it is: Pain caused by irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower back, usually felt down one leg.
- Usual cause: A herniated disc, in about 90% of cases.
- Outlook: Many people improve within a few weeks, often without surgery.
- Emergency: Pain in both legs, numbness around the groin, or bladder or bowel changes.
What Sciatica Pain Means
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It forms from nerve roots in the lower spine, runs through the buttock and down the back of each leg to the foot. When one of those nerve roots is squeezed or irritated, pain is felt along the nerve’s path, which is why a problem in the back is felt in the leg.
Sciatica is a type of nerve pain that usually results from irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower spine. Doctors may describe this as lumbar radiculopathy. Treatment depends on what is pressing on the nerve.
Sciatica Symptoms: 6 Common Signs
- Pain down one leg: from the lower back or buttock, often past the knee into the calf or foot. Usually one side only.
- Sharp, burning or electric pain rather than a dull ache, sometimes described as a shooting pain.
- Worse with sitting, coughing or sneezing: these movements can aggravate nerve root pain in some people.
- Tingling or pins and needles in the leg or foot.
- Numbness in part of the leg, foot or toes.
- Weakness: trouble lifting the foot, standing on the toes, or a foot that drags or slaps when walking.
Leg pain is usually worse than the back pain. Pain that stays mainly in the lower back or buttock without typical leg symptoms is less typical of sciatica and may have another cause.
Red Flags: When Sciatica Is an Emergency
Rarely, the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord are compressed together. This is called cauda equina syndrome, and it can cause permanent nerve damage if treatment is delayed.
Get Emergency Help
Get emergency help for numbness around the groin, inner thighs or buttocks, difficulty passing urine, loss of bladder or bowel control, sciatica in both legs at once, or sudden, severe or worsening weakness in the legs. These can be signs of cauda equina syndrome. Seek urgent medical assessment, though not necessarily emergency care, if sciatica follows a significant injury or comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer.
What Causes Sciatica?
About 90% of sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, where the soft centre of a spinal disc bulges out and presses on a nerve root. Other causes include narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), a vertebra slipping forward (spondylolisthesis), and, rarely, a tumour or infection. Rarely, problems outside the spine can irritate the sciatic nerve and cause similar symptoms.
Risk can increase with factors such as age, work that involves heavy lifting or long driving, prolonged sitting, smoking and excess body weight. It is not caused by a nerve “slipping” or “getting stuck”, a common belief that leads people to unhelpful treatments.
Is It Sciatica or Something Else?
A doctor confirms the cause by examination. Imaging is not usually needed at first.
Two look-alikes are worth knowing. Leg pain that comes on with walking and eases with rest can be peripheral artery disease, a circulation problem, not a nerve one. Tingling in both feet is more typical of diabetic nerve damage, which is a reason to check your HbA1c. Sudden one-sided weakness with face drooping or slurred speech is a possible stroke, not sciatica.
How Doctors Diagnose Sciatica
Diagnosis is based on your story and a physical examination. The doctor checks where the pain travels, tests your reflexes, strength and sensation, and may lift your straight leg while you lie down, which stretches the nerve and reproduces the pain if a root is irritated.
Scans are not needed for most people at first. An MRI may be considered when there are red flags, when symptoms persist despite appropriate treatment, or when the result could change management, including when surgery is being considered. Our guide to MRI scan cost explains the test. A CT scan is sometimes used when an MRI is not possible, and our CT scan price guide covers it.
How Long Does Sciatica Last?
Recovery varies between people and studies. A BMJ review found that about 50% of people in placebo groups of acute sciatica trials reported improvement within 10 days, and about 75% by 4 weeks. In a separate Dutch trial of 283 people with severe sciatica from a disc herniation, the probability of perceived recovery at one year was 95% in both the early surgery and conservative treatment groups. Recovery does not always mean being completely pain-free: other evidence shows that 20 to 30% of people may still have problems after one or two years, so persistent symptoms need review.
Sciatica Recovery: What Three Studies Found
Separate findings from different patient groups, not one recovery curve
Sources: Koes et al., BMJ 2007 (10-day, 4-week and persistent-symptom figures); Peul et al., NEJM 2007 (1-year perceived recovery, early surgery and conservative groups combined).
Sciatica Treatment: What Works and What Does Not
Most treatment focuses on keeping you moving while the irritated nerve settles. The UK’s NICE guideline on low back pain and sciatica is clear on what the evidence supports.
Based on NICE guideline NG59 and the Dutch sciatica trial (NEJM 2007). Discuss any medicine with your doctor.
NSAIDs can affect the stomach, kidneys, liver and cardiovascular system. People with kidney disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers or other risk factors should ask a doctor before using them. Our age wise BP chart shows the healthy blood pressure range.
Sciatica Pain Relief at Home
- Keep moving: short walks several times a day, increasing as the pain allows.
- Heat or cold: a hot pack or an ice pack wrapped in cloth on the lower back for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Change position regularly: avoid staying in one position for long periods.
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between the knees, or on your back with a pillow under the knees.
- Avoid heavy lifting or twisting movements that clearly make your symptoms worse.
Long periods of sitting can aggravate back and neck symptoms in some people. If you also have neck pain or tingling in the arms, our guide to cervical pain symptoms covers neck pain and symptoms affecting the arms.
When Surgery Is Considered
Surgery to remove the part of the disc pressing on the nerve (discectomy) may be considered when non-surgical treatment has not improved pain or function and imaging shows a problem that matches the symptoms. It is needed urgently for cauda equina syndrome or severe, progressive weakness. In the Dutch trial, early surgery relieved pain faster, but by one year those who waited did just as well. In the conservative group, 39% eventually had surgery during the first year, so most did not.
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if the pain is severe, is not improving, keeps returning, or comes with numbness or weakness, or if you cannot work or sleep because of it. Go to emergency care for any of the red flags above. A general physician, orthopaedic doctor or neurologist can all assess sciatica, and a physiotherapist guides recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Recognise sciatica pain by its path: lower back or buttock down one leg, often below the knee.
- Treat both-leg pain, groin numbness or bladder changes as an emergency.
- Keep moving. Most people improve within weeks without surgery.
- Ask about an MRI if red flags appear, symptoms persist despite appropriate treatment, or the result could change your treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sciatica pain?
Pain along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back or buttock down the back of one leg, caused by an irritated nerve root in the lower spine. It is a symptom, most often of a herniated disc.
What does sciatica pain feel like?
A sharp, burning or electric pain down one leg, often past the knee, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness. Sitting, coughing or sneezing can make the pain worse.
How long does sciatica last?
Many people improve within a few weeks, although some symptoms can last longer. In trials, about 75% improved within 4 weeks, though 20 to 30% may still have problems after one or two years.
What can help relieve sciatica pain?
Keep moving with short walks, change position regularly, and use heat or cold if it feels helpful. Anti-inflammatory medicines may be appropriate for some people after checking with a doctor. Prolonged bed rest is not recommended.
Can sciatica go away on its own?
Yes. Most cases improve without surgery, although recovery can take several weeks or longer. Persistent or worsening symptoms need medical review.
Is walking good for sciatica?
Gentle walking and staying active are generally recommended. Start with short walks and increase as the pain allows.
When is sciatica an emergency?
When it affects both legs, causes numbness around the groin or buttocks, affects bladder or bowel control, or causes sudden severe weakness. These can mean cauda equina syndrome and need emergency care.
Which doctor should I see for sciatica?
A general physician or orthopaedic doctor first. A neurologist or spine surgeon is involved if there are nerve signs, red flags or pain that does not improve, and a physiotherapist guides exercises.
References
- Koes BW, van Tulder MW, Peul WC. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ, 2007.
- Peul WC, et al. Surgery versus prolonged conservative treatment for sciatica. N Engl J Med, 2007.
- Peul WC, et al. Prolonged conservative care versus early surgery in sciatica: two-year results. BMJ, 2008.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59).
- Cleveland Clinic. Sciatica.
- Mayo Clinic. Sciatica: symptoms and causes.
- NHS. Sciatica.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo. Sciatica.
Written By
Iraphan Khan, BSN, RN, D.Pharm, Public Health Researcher. Iraphan writes evidence-based patient guides that turn medical reports and research into plain language.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr Praveen Verma, MBBS, MD Pathology
Dr Himanshu Morya, MBBS, Medical Educator
Published and reviewed: 2 October 2026. Next scheduled review: October 2027.
Disclaimer: This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your own doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If you have leg pain with numbness around the groin, bladder or bowel changes, or sudden weakness, seek emergency care. Diagnosis and treatment depend on examination by a qualified doctor.