What Is Sciatica and How to Treat It

Sciatica is one of the most commonly misunderstood conditions. Despite how often it’s discussed, much of the information out there focuses on masking symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. If you've ever dealt with sharp pain down the leg, tingling in the feet, or muscle spasms, you know how frustrating it can be—but what’s actually causing that irritation?

The key to lasting relief is understanding what’s driving sciatica-related pain. Let’s learn what sciatica is, what triggers it, and why addressing the root issues is the key to long-term healing. 

What Sciatica Is (and Isn’t)

First off, sciatica is not a diagnosis. It’s an umbrella term for a set of nerve-related symptoms. These can range from mild tingling or pins and needles in the feet to intense, sharp shooting pain down the leg. You might even feel heat, cold, cramping, or spasms. Sciatica simply tells us that there is nerve irritation, but it doesn’t identify what’s causing that irritation.

Think of sciatica like a fever. If you go to the doctor with a fever, they don’t diagnose you with "fever"; they look for the illness causing it. Similarly, sciatica is a symptom, not the root problem. If you came to me with sciatica, the only thing I’d know for sure is that you have nerve irritation somewhere between your lower back and your toes.

The Anatomy of Sciatica

To understand sciatica, it’s helpful to know a bit about the sciatic nerve and its roots. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, but the symptoms of sciatica often stem from the nerve roots in your lower spine before the sciatic nerve even forms. These roots can be irritated or compressed by a variety of conditions, leading to the symptoms we associate with sciatica.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica has many potential causes, and understanding them is key to finding relief. Here are some common culprits:

• Herniated Disc: A bulging disc presses on the nerve root, causing pain and other symptoms.
• Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the nerves.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Loss of disc height reduces space for the nerves to exit the spine.
• Piriformis Syndrome: The sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle as it passes through or near it. 
• SI Joint Dysfunction: Instability or irritation in the sacroiliac joint can affect the nerves in the area.
• Spondylolisthesis: A vertebra slipping out of place can press on nerve roots.

There are even rarer causes, like tumors or bony growths, but the key takeaway here is that sciatica itself is far removed from the root cause. Treating sciatica directly won’t address the real problem, and that’s why short-term relief methods often fall short of providing lasting solutions.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s where it gets interesting. All the conditions I just mentioned—herniated discs, stenosis, SI joint dysfunction—are themselves symptoms of a deeper, more global issue in the body. I know this firsthand because I’ve been there. At my worst, my back problems weren’t just about pain at L5-S1. My whole body was out of balance—my jaw was off, my neck hurt, and everything felt like it was going haywire.

These issues stem from an underlying imbalance in how the body functions and stabilizes itself. The key to addressing sciatica is more than just focusing on sciatic nerve irritation and what’s causing it. We need to address the root cause of sciatica itself.

Short-Term Relief vs. Long-Term Solutions

Short-term relief like stretching or anti-inflammatory treatments can temporarily ease your symptoms and can be good for managing pain, just not for fixing the underlying problem.  

The long-term solution lies in rebalancing and stabilizing your body to address the deeper issues causing sciatica flare ups and its related conditions. This is where Core Balance Training can help. We work to create lasting changes in how your body functions, providing stability and support to the spine that prevents sciatica from returning.

Conclusion

Sciatica is not a standalone condition—it’s a symptom of deeper imbalances in the body. Sciatica is a symptom of deep muscle imbalances in your body. Sure, herniated discs, stenosis, and SI joint dysfunction may be contributing factors, but they’re often just pieces of the larger puzzle. While short-term relief methods can ease discomfort, true healing comes from addressing the root causes that led to sciatica in the first place.

If you’re struggling with sciatica, don’t just chase the symptoms. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. By restoring balance and stability to your body, you can find real, lasting relief.

Do you struggle with sciatica? Share your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!