Print Overview Sciatic nerve Enlarge image Close Sciatic nerve Sciatic nerve The sciatic nerve is the confluence of nerve roots from the lower back. The sciatic nerve extends from the buttocks down each leg. Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often happens when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on the lumbar spine nerve roots. This happens "upstream" from the sciatic nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg. Although the pain associated with sciatica can be serious, those cases that are caused by a herniated disk can clear up with treatment in a few weeks to months. People who have severe sciatica and serious leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might need surgery.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief SymptomsWhen to see a doctorMild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary care professional if self-care measures don't ease symptoms. Also call if pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse. Get immediate medical care for: Sudden numbness or muscle weakness in a leg. Pain after a violent injury, such as a traffic accident. Trouble controlling bowels or bladder. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 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. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. 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. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Herniated disk Enlarge image Close Herniated disk Herniated disk The disks that lie between the vertebrae in the spine consist of a soft center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher exterior (annulus). A herniated disk occurs when a portion of the nucleus pushes through a crack in the annulus. Symptoms may occur if the herniation compresses a nerve. Sciatica occurs when the nerve roots to the sciatic nerve become pinched. The cause is usually a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone, sometimes called bone spurs, on the spinal bones. More rarely, a tumor can put pressure on the nerve. Risk factorsRisk factors for sciatica include: Age. People ages 20 to 50 are most likely to have herniated disks. Bone spurs develop more commonly as people age. Obesity. Being overweight increases stress on the spine. Occupation. A job that requires twisting the back, carrying heavy loads or driving a motor vehicle for long periods might play a role in herniated disks. Prolonged sitting. People who sit a lot or don't move much are more likely to develop herniated disks than active people are. Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way the body uses blood sugar, increases the risk of nerve damage. ComplicationsMost people recover fully from sciatica caused by herniated disks, often without treatment. But sciatica can damage nerves. Seek immediate medical attention for: Loss of feeling in the affected leg. Weakness in the affected leg. Loss of bowel or bladder control. PreventionIt's not always possible to prevent sciatica, and the condition can come back. To protect your back: Exercise regularly. To keep the back strong, work the core muscles — the muscles in the abdomen and lower back needed for good posture and alignment. A healthcare professional can recommend activities. Keep good posture when sitting. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. For better low back support, place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of the back to keep its normal curve. Keep knees and hips level. Use your body correctly. When standing for long periods, rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. When lifting something heavy, let your legs do the work. Hold the load close to your body. Don't lift and twist at the same time. Find someone to help lift heavy or awkward things. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Jan. 31, 2024 Print Show references Hsu PS, et al. Lumbosacral radiculopathy: Pathophysiology, clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 21, 2022. Sciatica. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sciatica. Accessed July 21, 2022. Levin K, et al. Acute lumbosacral radiculopathy: Treatment and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 21, 2022. Sciatica. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/neck-and-back-pain/sciatica. Accessed July 21, 2022. Wheeler SG, et al. Evaluation of low back pain in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 23, 2022. AskMayoExpert. Low back pain (chronic): Adult. Mayo Clinic; 2022. 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. 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 Show more associated procedures Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Pain Relief SciaticaSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. 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. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. 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. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry