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Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, irritated, or pinched. The most common causes of sciatica include:
The most frequent cause of sciatica is a slipped or herniated disc in the spine. When a disc in the lower back bulges, it can press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain.
Age-related wear and tear on the spinal discs can cause the discs to shrink or harden, leading to nerve compression and inflammation, which results in sciatica.
Narrowing the spinal canal can compress the nerves, including the sciatic nerve. This is typically an age-related condition.
The piriformis muscle, located deep in the buttocks, can sometimes irritate or compress the sciatic nerve as it runs beneath it, leading to sciatica-like symptoms.
It occurs when one vertebra slips forward over another, compressing the sciatic nerve.
A fall, car accident, or other forms of trauma to the lower spine can lead to sciatica by damaging the vertebrae, discs, or nerves.
Tumours, infections, or other spinal disorders can contribute to sciatica by pressing on the sciatic nerve in rarer cases.
Sciatica has several possible causes, and the cause shapes the treatment, so an assessment is more useful than guessing. An osteopath can examine your back, hips and nerve function, explain what is most likely behind your symptoms, and tell you if you should be referred to your GP or for further tests.
You can read about the types of sciatica or our full guide to treatment for sciatica.
Get urgent medical help (call 999 or go to A&E) if you have numbness around your genitals or buttocks, new difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, or weakness in both legs that is getting worse. These can be signs of a serious spinal condition and should not wait for an appointment.
