What is Sciatica?
Sciatica isn’t just back pain. It’s a very specific kind of nerve pain that travels along the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in the body — which starts in your lower back and moves through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg.
At HTX Pain Care, we often explain it to patients like this: imagine a kinked-up garden hose. If there’s compression or irritation at the nerve’s origin, it sends distorted signals downstream — resulting in shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg. It can affect walking, sleeping, and even sitting comfortably.
Why it matters for Houston residents:
Many Houstonians work in physically demanding roles or lead sedentary lives — both of which can aggravate the spine and trigger sciatica. That’s why finding lasting Sciatica Pain Relief in Houston is a growing concern — and why HTX Pain Care provides advanced, compassionate solutions tailored to our community.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica can result from several spinal conditions, including:
- Herniated or slipped discs: When the cushion between vertebrae slips out and compresses the sciatic nerve.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on nerves.
- Degenerative disc disease: The discs wear down over time, altering spinal alignment and nerve space.
- Piriformis syndrome: When a small buttock muscle tightens and irritates the sciatic nerve.
- Spondylolisthesis: vertebrae slipping out of place
- Trauma or injury to the lower spine
- Pregnancy: Added weight and body changes can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Every patient at HTX Pain Care receives a personalized assessment to uncover these root causes — because no two sciatic pain experiences are identical. Understanding the cause is essential to selecting the most effective treatment path, which may range from conservative care to advanced interventions.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms vary from person to person but typically include:
- Sharp, burning, or shooting pain from the lower back down the leg
- Numbness or tingling in the foot or toes
- Muscle weakness in one leg
- Pain that worsens with movement, especially standing, sitting, or twisting
- Uneven gait or difficulty walking
Some describe it as a lightning bolt down their leg — others say it’s like a hot wire wrapped around their thigh. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you’re not alone — and there’s help.
Unique Symptom of Sciatica: Radiating Leg Pain Below the Knee
One of the clearest clinical signs that helps differentiate sciatica from general low back pain or muscle strain is:
- Pain that travels from the lower back or buttock, down the back of the thigh, and continues below the knee — often reaching the calf, ankle, or foot.
This pathway follows the course of the sciatic nerve, and when the pain extends below the knee, it strongly suggests nerve root irritation or compression — especially from causes like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
Other Confirmatory Clues (Usually in Combination with Radiating Pain):
- Numbness or tingling specifically in the outer foot or toes (especially the 4th and 5th toes if L5-S1 nerve roots are involved).
- Positive Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR): When lifting the straightened leg while lying down reproduces the sharp, radiating leg pain — not just back pain.
- Foot drop or leg weakness, depending on the nerve root affected.
- Pain worsens with coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long periods (which increases spinal pressure).
So to answer directly: Yes — leg pain that radiates below the knee, especially with accompanying numbness or motor weakness, is the most definitive physical symptom pointing toward sciatica rather than other lower back issues.
Aggravating Factors: What Makes Sciatica Worse
The reason these are listed is so you (the reader) might identify habits or actions that contribute to your symptoms:
- Prolonged Sitting – Increases pressure on the sciatic nerve by 40% compared to standing. Office jobs, car rides, or couch time can intensify symptoms.
- Poor Posture – Slouching or sleeping in a fetal position compresses the spine and can worsen nerve irritation.
- Heavy Lifting & Twisting – Sudden strain can inflame muscles or herniate discs.
- High-Impact Exercise – Running or jumping can jar the spine.
- besity & Sedentary Lifestyle – Excess weight adds strain; inactivity weakens core support.
Diagnosing Sciatica
Diagnosis starts with understanding your story, as Sciatica symptoms can mimic other conditions, so proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Here’s how we approach diagnosis:
Medical History & Physical Exam
- Your doctor will first ask about:
- Pain location (Does it shoot down one leg?)
- Triggers (Does sitting, coughing, or bending worsen it?)
- Duration (Acute vs. chronic pain)
Common Physical Tests:
- Straight Leg Raise Test – Reproduces sciatic pain when leg is lifted while lying down.
- Reflex, Strength & Sensation Checks – To assess nerve function.
Imaging Tests (If Needed)
- MRI – Gold standard for visualizing nerve compression.
- CT Scan – Helpful for detecting bone issues.
- X-Rays – Rules out fractures but not nerve damage.
Nerve Tests (In Rare Cases)
- EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies – Used if severe nerve damage is suspected.
Patient History
- We ask when symptoms started, what worsens them, and what has (or hasn’t) helped in the past.
This full-spectrum view ensures that treatment is tailored, not just templated.
Key Takeaways:
- Most diagnoses rely on history and exam.
- MRI is most effective for identifying nerve-related issues.
- Nerve tests are rare but valuable for atypical or severe cases.
Treatment Options at HTX Pain Care
Not every sciatica case requires surgery — in fact, most don’t. At HTX Pain Care, our goal is to get you back to life, fast — using the most effective, least invasive methods available.
Our non-surgical sciatica treatments include:
- Epidural Steroid Injections: These reduce inflammation and nerve irritation.
- Physical Therapy: Strengthens supportive muscles and corrects postural habits.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: Temporarily disables pain-causing nerves for lasting relief.
- Chiropractic Care & Spinal Decompression: Non-invasive approaches to relieve disc pressure.
- Lifestyle and Ergonomic Coaching: Prevent recurrence by addressing work/life habits.
If conservative options fail, our board-certified pain specialists can also discuss minimally invasive procedures with you.
Why HTX Pain Care?
There is a cause to everything. And as an experienced and professional pain treatment specialist, we are here to resolve the cause of your pain to ensure you a pain-free living, to sleep without pain, to sit without wincing. Our team includes some of the best sciatica doctors in Houston — and we’re proud to be more than providers.
We’re partners in your recovery. Every patient we see is treated with a combination of medical precision, advanced technology, and good old-fashioned listening.Let us find lasting Sciatica Pain Relief in Houston — starting with a thorough evaluation and a plan built just for you