Lower back pain is incredibly common — but not all back pain is the same. If your discomfort feels persistent, sharp, or starts traveling down your leg, there’s a good chance your “lower back ache” may actually be sciatica.
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, becomes irritated or compressed. This often leads to pain that starts in the lower back and radiates through the hips, glutes, and down one leg. Because sciatica pain can mimic muscle tightness or general back strain, many people delay treatment — which can allow symptoms to worsen over time.
Here are five clear signs your lower back pain may be sciatica, and when it’s time to see a chiropractor for help.
1. Pain That Radiates Down One Leg
One of the most recognizable signs of sciatica is pain that travels, rather than staying localized in your lower back.
If your discomfort:
- Starts in the low back or hip
- Moves through the buttock
- Shoots down the back or side of one leg
…it’s likely nerve-related rather than muscular.
Unlike typical lower back pain, sciatica usually affects one side of the body. The pain may feel sharp, electric, burning, or like a deep ache that worsens with movement.
A chiropractor can evaluate where the nerve is being irritated and determine whether spinal joint restrictions, disc issues, or soft tissue tension are contributing to the problem.
2. Tingling, Numbness, or Weakness
Sciatic nerve irritation doesn’t always cause pain alone. Many people experience neurological symptoms, including:
- Tingling or “pins and needles”
- Numbness in the leg, foot, or toes
- Muscle weakness or instability when walking
These sensations are strong indicators that the sciatic nerve is involved. Left unaddressed, nerve compression can interfere with normal movement patterns and make everyday activities — like sitting, standing, or exercising — uncomfortable or unsafe.
Movement-focused chiropractic care can help reduce nerve pressure while improving strength, mobility, and coordination through corrective exercise and soft tissue therapy.
3. Pain That Gets Worse When Sitting
If sitting makes your pain worse — especially for longer periods — sciatica may be the culprit.
Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the lower spine and hips, which can aggravate the sciatic nerve. Many patients notice:
- Increased pain after driving
- Difficulty sitting at work
- Relief when standing or walking short distances
This pattern is less common with simple muscle strain and more typical with nerve-related conditions.
At Essential Motion Chiropractic in Elkhorn, assessments focus on posture, spinal mechanics, and movement habits that may be placing extra stress on your lower back and sciatic nerve.
4. Pain That Doesn’t Improve With Rest
Muscle-based lower back pain often improves with rest, light stretching, or a few days off from activity. Sciatica, however, tends to linger or progressively worsen.
If your pain:
- Has lasted several weeks
- Keeps returning despite rest
- Interferes with sleep or daily tasks
…it’s a sign the root cause hasn’t been addressed.
Sciatica often stems from underlying movement dysfunctions, joint restrictions, or soft tissue adhesions — not just inflammation alone. Chiropractic adjustments combined with techniques like active release therapy and targeted rehab can help resolve the source of the problem rather than masking symptoms.
5. Lower Back Pain With Hip or Glute Tightness
Many people are surprised to learn that sciatica pain often originates outside the spine. Tight muscles in the hips or glutes — particularly the piriformis — can compress the sciatic nerve.
Signs this may be happening include:
- Deep glute tightness or soreness
- Pain when crossing your legs or climbing stairs
- Limited hip mobility during workouts or daily movement
This is where soft tissue therapy, corrective exercise, and movement-based chiropractic care are especially effective. Addressing muscle restrictions and restoring proper joint motion can dramatically reduce sciatic nerve irritation.
When to See a Chiropractor for Sciatica
You should consider seeing a chiropractor if:
- Your lower back pain radiates down your leg
- You’re experiencing numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Symptoms have lasted more than 1–2 weeks
- Pain limits your ability to work, exercise, or sleep
Early care can help prevent sciatica from becoming a chronic issue. At Essential Motion Chiropractic, care begins with a thorough evaluation to identify why the nerve is irritated — not just where it hurts.
How Chiropractic Care Helps Sciatica Pain
Chiropractic care for sciatica focuses on restoring movement, reducing nerve pressure, and improving long-term function. Treatment plans may include:
- Targeted chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal mobility
- Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension and adhesions
- Active release therapy to free restricted tissues
- Corrective exercises to build strength and stability
- Postural education to prevent future flare-ups
This movement-first approach supports long-term recovery rather than short-term relief.
Get Lasting Sciatica Relief in Elkhorn
If you’ve been dealing with what feels like stubborn lower back pain, don’t ignore the signs. Sciatica is highly treatable when addressed early with the right approach.
At Essential Motion Chiropractic in Elkhorn, our team provides personalized, movement-focused care designed to help you recover, stay active, and prevent future setbacks.
If sciatica pain is slowing you down, schedule an evaluation today and get back in motion with confidence.
