Sciatica - Diagnosis and treatment (2024)

Print

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, a healthcare professional might check muscle strength and reflexes. For example, you may be asked to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, and lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back.

Tests

People with severe pain or pain that doesn't improve within a few weeks may need:

  • X-ray. An X-ray of the spine may reveal various mechanical changes that can affect the size of the holes where the nerve roots exit the spine.
  • MRI. This procedure uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the back. An MRI produces detailed images of the soft tissues, so herniated disks and pinched nerves show on the scan.
  • CT scan. Having a CT scan might involve having a dye injected into the spinal canal before the X-rays are taken (CT myelogram). The dye then moves around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, making them easier to see on the images.
  • Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of the muscles. This test can confirm how severe a nerve root injury is.

More Information

  • CT scan
  • MRI
  • X-ray

Treatment

For pain that doesn't improve with self-care measures, some of the following treatments might help.

Medications

The types of medicines that might be used to treat sciatica pain include:

  • Anti-inflammatories.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Antidepressants.
  • Anti-seizure medications.
  • Opioids.

Physical therapy

Once the pain improves, a healthcare professional can design a program to help prevent future injuries. This typically includes exercises to correct posture, strengthen the core and improve range of motion.

Steroid injections

In some cases, a shot of a corticosteroid medication into the area around the nerve root that's causing pain can help. Often, one injection helps reduce pain. Up to three can be given in one year.

Surgery

Surgeons can remove the bone spur or the portion of the herniated disk that's pressing on the nerve. But surgery is usually done only when sciatica causes severe weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or pain that doesn't improve with other treatments.

Request an appointment

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Lifestyle and home remedies

For most people, sciatica responds to self-care measures. Although resting for a day or so may provide relief, staying inactive will make symptoms worse.

Other self-care treatments that might help include:

  • Cold packs. Place a cold pack on the painful area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. Use an ice pack or a package of frozen peas wrapped in a clean towel.
  • Hot packs. After 2 to 3 days, apply heat to the areas that hurt. Use hot packs, a heat lamp or a heating pad on the lowest setting. For continuing pain, try using both warm and cold packs, one at a time.
  • Stretching. Stretching exercises for the low back might provide some relief. Try to hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds. Avoid jerking, bouncing or twisting during the stretch.
  • Medications. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) are sometimes helpful for sciatica. Use only as directed.

Alternative medicine

Alternative therapies often used for low back pain include:

  • Acupuncture. The acupuncturist inserts hair-thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. Some studies have suggested that acupuncture can help back pain, while others have found no benefit. If you decide to try acupuncture, choose a licensed professional.
  • Chiropractic. Chiropractors can make spinal adjustments or manipulations to restore spinal movement and decrease pain. Spinal manipulation appears to work and to be as safe as standard treatments for low back pain.
  • Massage therapy. Massages can help loosen up the larger muscles in the back and hips that may be tight or have spasms.

Preparing for your appointment

Not everyone who has sciatica needs medical care. If your symptoms are serious or last for more than a month, make an appointment with your healthcare professional.

What you can do

  • Write down your symptoms and when they began.
  • List key medical information, including other conditions you have and the names and doses of medications, vitamins or supplements you take.
  • Note recent accidents or injuries that might have damaged your back.
  • Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who accompanies you can help you remember the information you get.
  • Write down questions to ask your healthcare professional.

For radiating low back pain, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What's the most likely cause of my back pain?
  • Are there other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatment do you recommend?
  • Should I have surgery? Why or why not?
  • Are there restrictions I need to follow?
  • What self-care measures should I take?
  • What can I do to keep my symptoms from coming back?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

  • Do you have numbness or weakness in your legs?
  • Do some body positions or activities make your pain better or worse?
  • How much does your pain limit your activities?
  • Do you do heavy physical work?
  • Do you exercise regularly? If yes, with what types of activities?
  • What treatments or self-care measures have you tried? Has anything helped?

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Request an appointment

Jan. 31, 2024

Print

  1. Hsu PS, et al. Lumbosacral radiculopathy: Pathophysiology, clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 21, 2022.
  2. Sciatica. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sciatica. Accessed July 21, 2022.
  3. Levin K, et al. Acute lumbosacral radiculopathy: Treatment and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 21, 2022.
  4. Sciatica. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/neck-and-back-pain/sciatica. Accessed July 21, 2022.
  5. Wheeler SG, et al. Evaluation of low back pain in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2022.
  6. AskMayoExpert. Low back pain (chronic): Adult. Mayo Clinic; 2022.
  7. Manchikanti L, et al. Epidural injections for lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica: A comparative systematic review and meta-analysis of Cochrane Review. Pain Physician. 2021; https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/current/pdf?article=NzI4Mw%3D%3D&journal=137. Accessed July 23, 2022.
  8. Ostelo RWJG. Physiotherapy management of sciatica. Journal of Physiotherapy. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2020.03.005.

Related

  • Sciatic nerve

Associated Procedures

  • Cortisone shots
  • CT scan
  • Diskectomy
  • MRI
  • X-ray

Sciatica

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Advertising & Sponsorship

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

CON-20377416

  • Sciatica
Sciatica - Diagnosis and treatment (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5731

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.