What Causes Sciatica To Flare Up?

Do you have sciatica? Sciatica is a painful condition that’s caused when the sciatic nerve—the longest and widest nerve in the body—is injured or irritated. While sciatica typically only affects one side of the lower body, it can cause debilitating pain, numbness, and tingling in the back, buttocks, and legs. 

If you have sciatica, you may be wondering what caused it to flare up, how to prevent your symptoms from getting worse, and where to get treatment. In this informative blog, follow along as we answer all these questions, so that you can experience pain relief as soon as possible. 

What Causes The Sciatic Nerve To Flare Up?

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disk in the lower back, which compresses the sciatic nerve and causes inflammation. Other potential causes include spinal stenosis, the narrowing of the spinal canal, and spondylolisthesis, which occurs when a fracture causes one vertebra to slip forward on top of another, compressing the sciatic nerve in the process.

Poor posture and physical activity that involves repetitive bending or lifting can also cause sciatica to flare up, as can degeneration, or, “the tissues in the lumbar spine degrading over time as a result of age.”

Keep in mind: Sciatica is often a symptom of a larger problem or underlying health condition that needs to be addressed fully, before your sciatic nerve can heal. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to visit a sciatica pain doctor who can assess your whole condition, and treat the root problem, instead of merely addressing your pain symptoms. 

What Makes Sciatica Worse?

In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with sciatica can get worse if you sit or stand for long periods of time, lift heavy objects, or perform activities that involve twisting your body. Poor posture can also contribute to worsening sciatica symptoms, as can inflammation from conditions like arthritis or infection. Finally, sudden body movements like muscle spasms, coughing and sneezing can also cause more pain. 

How To Prevent Sciatic Nerve Pain

Anyone who’s ever experienced sciatic pain knows how debilitating it can be—as patients’ often use words like “burning, searing, or stabbing” to describe how it feels. That’s why one of the most common questions asked by those who have sciatica is how to prevent the pain from getting worse in addition to what they can do to feel better.

Fortunately, by avoiding activities that put strain on your back and making adjustments in how you sit, stand, walk, and sleep, you can prevent your pain from getting worse. Follow these guidelines to keep prevent you pain from getting worse:

How To Sit With Sciatica

• When you sit, use a firm chair with a straight back and a seat cushion. 
• Sit with your back against the back of the chair and your feet flat on the floor.
• Place a wedge cushion or a pillow between your legs to support your hips.
• Change positions frequently throughout the day to relieve pressure on your lower back, and never sit for too long. 

How To Stand With Sciatica

• When standing, stand up slowly, keep your feet hip-width apart, and keep your knees slightly bent.
• Also try to keep your back straight and your abdominal muscles engaged.
• If you experience any pain or discomfort, sit down to relieve the pressure.
• If possible, use a walking aid, such as a cane or walker, to help you keep your balance and reduce any pain.

How To Walk With Sciatica

• When you walk, walk slowly and avoid activities that could cause pain or discomfort, such as by walking on uneven surfaces or up steep hills or slopes. 
• Try to maintain an upright posture as you move—as this will ensure support for your spine. 
• If you can, do some stretching before you walk to help reduce tension in your muscles. 
• Finally, use a good pair of shoes that provide adequate support. 

How To Sleep With Sciatica

• Try to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. Keeping your hips and knees bent can help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. 
• Use a supportive mattress that’s not too soft or too hard, such as a memory foam mattress or a mattress topper. 
• Consider investing in a lumbar support pillow too. This can help reduce pressure on the lower back as well. 

Should I Go To A Doctor Or Chiropractor For Sciatica?

If you have sciatica, you may be wondering if seeing a chiropractor can help. While chiropractors can be helpful in some circumstances, it’s often better to visit an experienced pain doctor who can assess your full condition. That’s because chiropractors, while medically trained, don’t hold an M.D., and because sciatica is often a symptom of a much larger issue. A chiropractor can help to relieve discomfort, but only a medical doctor can identify the underlying cause, and, by doing so, provide the most effective treatment. 

Need Sciatica Treatment in Austin, Texas?

At Greater Austin Pain Center, our sciatica specialists in Austin have the experience to treat not only your symptoms, but their underlying cause. We’ll diagnose what’s causing your sciatic nerve pain and provide treatment options that may include chiropractic care, as well as procedures beyond a chiropractor’s scope, such as physical therapy, medications, or even surgery.

Schedule an appointment for your sciatica pain treatment in Austin today!

‍Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica Flare Ups

What does sciatica pain feel like?

Sciatica pain often feels like a sharp, burning, shooting, or electric-like pain that travels from the lower back into the buttock, hip, leg, or foot. Some people also experience numbness, tingling, weakness, or a pins-and-needles sensation along the path of the sciatic nerve.

What causes sciatica to flare up?

Sciatica can flare up when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed, inflamed, or irritated. Common causes include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, poor posture, repetitive lifting, prolonged sitting, or sudden twisting movements.

Can sitting too long make sciatica worse?

Yes. Sitting for long periods can place added pressure on the lower back, hips, and sciatic nerve. This can worsen pain, numbness, or tingling. Patients with sciatica are often encouraged to change positions throughout the day, use proper back support, and avoid staying seated for too long without movement breaks.

Is walking good for sciatica?

Gentle walking may help some patients with sciatica by improving circulation, reducing stiffness, and supporting mobility. However, walking too far, moving too quickly, or walking on uneven surfaces may make symptoms worse. If walking increases pain, it is best to slow down, rest, and speak with a pain specialist.

How should I sleep with sciatica?

Many patients with sciatica feel more comfortable sleeping on their side with a pillow between the knees. This can help keep the hips and spine aligned and reduce pressure on the lower back. Some patients may also benefit from sleeping on their back with a pillow under the knees.

Can sciatica go away on its own?

Mild sciatica may improve with rest, activity modification, stretching, and conservative care. However, if symptoms last more than a few weeks, keep returning, or include weakness, numbness, or worsening pain, it is important to see a specialist to determine the underlying cause.

When should I see a doctor for sciatica?

You should see a doctor if sciatica pain lasts longer than a few weeks, becomes severe, affects your ability to walk or sleep, or does not improve with home care. You should seek medical care sooner if you experience leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin area, or sudden severe pain.

Can sciatica cause numbness or tingling?

Yes. Because sciatica involves irritation of the sciatic nerve, it can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the buttock, leg, foot, or toes. These symptoms may vary depending on where the nerve is being compressed.

What makes sciatica worse?

Sciatica may worsen with prolonged sitting, standing for long periods, heavy lifting, bending, twisting, poor posture, coughing, sneezing, or sudden movements. Activities that place extra pressure on the lower back can increase irritation around the sciatic nerve.

What is the best treatment for sciatica?

The best treatment depends on what is causing the sciatic nerve pain. Treatment may include physical therapy, medication, activity modification, image-guided injections, nerve blocks, or other interventional pain management options. A pain specialist can evaluate your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan based on the source of your pain.

Can a herniated disc cause sciatica?

Yes. A herniated disc in the lower back is one of the most common causes of sciatica. When disc material presses on or irritates a nearby nerve root, pain can travel from the lower back into the buttock, leg, or foot.

Can spinal stenosis cause sciatica?

Yes. Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows and places pressure on the nerves. When this affects the nerves that contribute to the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that travels into the lower body.

Should I see a doctor or chiropractor for sciatica?

A chiropractor may help some patients with certain types of back-related discomfort, but sciatica is often a symptom of an underlying medical issue, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression. A pain management doctor can diagnose the source of sciatic nerve pain and recommend treatment options beyond manual adjustments.

Can injections help sciatica?

Yes. Injections may help reduce inflammation around irritated nerves and provide targeted relief for certain cases of sciatica. Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend an epidural steroid injection, nerve block, or another image-guided treatment.

How long does sciatica last?

Sciatica can last a few days, several weeks, or longer, depending on the cause and severity of the nerve irritation. If symptoms continue for more than a few weeks or keep coming back, a specialist can help determine whether an underlying spine condition is contributing to the pain.

Can sciatica affect both legs?

Sciatica usually affects one side of the body, but it can affect both legs in some cases. Pain, numbness, or weakness in both legs should be evaluated by a medical professional, especially if symptoms are severe or worsening.

Is sciatica a back problem or a leg problem?

Sciatica usually starts with a problem in the lower back, but the pain often travels into the buttocks, hip, leg, or foot. This happens because the sciatic nerve begins in the lower spine and runs down the back of each leg.

What should I avoid if I have sciatica?

If you have sciatica, try to avoid prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, repeated bending, sudden twisting, poor posture, and high-impact activities that worsen your pain. It is also important not to push through severe symptoms, especially if pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness.

Can sciatica come back after treatment?

Yes. Sciatica can return if the underlying cause is not addressed or if certain movements, posture habits, or spine conditions continue to irritate the nerve. A personalized treatment plan can help reduce flare-ups and support long-term pain management.

Can physical therapy help sciatica?

Yes. Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles that support the spine, improve flexibility, reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, and teach safer movement patterns. It is often part of a larger treatment plan for sciatica.