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Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve—the body’s largest nerve, which originates in the lower back (lumbar spine), passes through the buttocks, runs down the back of each thigh, and branches into the legs and feet.
Many people initially mistake it for a simple muscle strain in the lower back, buttock, or leg because the nerve travels close to those muscles. However, sciatica is actually nerve pain (radiculopathy) caused by irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve or its roots.According to reliable medical sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and studies, the most common cause—accounting for about 90% of cases—is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower spine pressing on the nerve roots.

Common Symptoms of Sciatica Pain

Pain often affects one side of the body and can range from mild to severe. Typical signs include:

  • Sharp, burning, shooting, or electric-shock-like pain from the lower back or buttock down the leg (sometimes to the foot)
  • Worsening with sitting, standing, coughing, sneezing, or physical activity
  • Numbness, tingling (“pins and needles”), or muscle weakness in the leg or foot
  • In rare severe cases, loss of bladder/bowel control (seek immediate medical help)

Why Many Treatments Only Mask Symptoms

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Traditional approaches like pain meds, rest, or injections often focus on temporary relief without fixing the underlying issue—such as the herniated disc causing nerve pressure.
At Colorado Spine & Disc in Colorado Springs, we target the root cause with non-surgical spinal decompression using the DRX9000 system. This gentle, computer-guided therapy creates negative pressure in the affected disc, helping to retract bulging/herniated material, relieve nerve compression, reduce inflammation, and promote natural healing.
Many patients with sciatica from disc issues see significant improvement in pain and function. An MRI can confirm if a herniated disc is the source and determine if you’re a candidate.
If sciatica is disrupting your life—whether from sitting at a desk, an old injury, or daily activities—don’t settle for just managing symptoms. Contact Colorado Spine & Disc for a consultation and explore non-invasive options to get you moving pain-free again!