Sciatic Pain? It’s a Symptom, Not the Cause

Pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg is something many people experience — and it’s often labelled as sciatica. But here’s something important to understand: sciatica isn’t actually a diagnosis. It’s a symptom — a way of describing where the pain is felt, not what’s causing it.

What Can Cause Sciatic-Type Pain?

There are several different conditions that can produce sciatic-type pain, including:

• Disc injuries – such as a herniated or bulging disc pressing on the nerve

• Spinal changes – including osteoarthritis or vertebral slippage (spondylolisthesis)

• Referred pain – from spinal joints or intervertebral discs

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – involving the joint near the base of the spine

• Muscle tightness – particularly in the gluteal muscles, like the piriformis, which can irritate the nerve

Because these causes can create very similar symptoms, treating the pain alone often doesn’t solve the problem. In many cases, symptoms persist — or return again over time.

Why Diagnosis Matters

That’s why identifying the root cause is so important.

A trained professional can perform a thorough assessment to determine what’s actually driving your symptoms. From there, they can provide effective hands-on treatment for relief, along with tailored advice and rehabilitation exercises to support your recovery and prevent flare-ups.

Don’t Just Put Up With It

If you’ve been dealing with leg, glute, or lower back pain that doesn’t seem to go away, don’t just accept it as “sciatica.” Getting a clear, accurate diagnosis is the first step toward pain relief and a proper recovery plan.