Sciatica or Normal Back Pain? Here’s How to Tell the Difference

Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives; it’s one of the most common reasons why people look for medical attention. Sciatica, experienced by about 40% of people at some point in life, is just one type of the broader back pain category. 

If you experience sciatica or any type of back pain, visit pain management specialist Haddis T. Hagos, MD. Dr. Hagos and his team at Pain Management Associates LLC in Greenbelt, Maryland, perform advanced interventional pain management procedures to alleviate back pain or sciatica without surgery. 

If you’re unsure of the type of back pain you have, finding out can help you manage it more effectively. In this article, we talk about the differences between back pain and sciatica. 

Symptoms of sciatica beyond back pain

A key feature of sciatica is that it has symptoms other than back pain. While it originates in the back, you might not feel pain in your back at all. 

Most often, people with sciatica experience a painful, burning, or tingling sensation that starts in the buttocks or low back and radiates down the back side of the leg. Some people describe sciatica pain as an electrical shock, while others might say it feels like their leg has fallen asleep. 

Along with pain or burning, sciatica can cause leg numbness. The skin on the affected leg might not pick up on touch or other sensations. Rarely, sciatica can cause weakness in the affected leg. 

Sciatica pain can flare up with certain actions, like sneezing, laughing, or bending your legs. 

Understanding the causes of sciatica and back pain

Sciatica happens when your sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body, becomes aggravated or pinched. 

This often happens when some spinal condition results in pressure on the sciatic nerve. Common causes include:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spinal stenosis
• Facet joint arthritis
• Bone spurs in the spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal injuries
• Osteoarthritis

These conditions can all cause more generalized back pain, sciatica, or both. 

When to get help for sciatica or back pain

Back pain and sciatica can often resolve on their own with a little time and rest. If you have back pain, consider reaching out for help if it: 

• Doesn’t improve with home care
• Lasts longer than a few weeks
• Is linked with unexplained weight loss or bowel or bladder issues
• Feels intense

It’s important to get help for back pain accompanied by sciatica. Sciatica by itself can improve with self-care and rest, but you should contact Dr. Hagos if it persists beyond a few weeks. 

Call Pain Management Associates LLC or request an appointment online to explore advanced treatments for back pain and sciatica today.