If you’ve ever felt a sharp, radiating pain that travels from your lower back down your leg, you’re not alone. Sciatic nerve pain is incredibly common and extremely disruptive. It can make everyday things like walking, sitting, or sleeping feel nearly impossible. But what causes sciatic nerve pain in the first place? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
You don’t have to wait until it gets worse. Acupuncture offers a science-backed, non-invasive way to treat both the symptoms and the root causes of sciatic nerve pain.
Ready to start moving comfortably again? Schedule a consultation with Willow Tree Clinic to help you find relief.
At Willow Tree Clinic in Portland, we specialize in treating sciatic nerve pain with targeted, evidence-based acupuncture. Led by Dr. Kiné Fischler, our care focuses on reducing inflammation, calming irritated nerves, and restoring natural movement, without heavy reliance on medication. Whether your symptoms are linked to pregnancy, a herniated disc, or chronic muscle tension, we work with you to identify the cause and address it directly.
If you’ve been living with nerve pain and wondering where to start, Willow Tree is a great first step.
What Is Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, happens when the sciatic nerve, running from your lower back down each leg, gets compressed. It can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the lower body.
This condition is more common than you might think. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 40% of people in the U.S. will experience sciatica in their lifetime.
Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain can include:
- Sharp or burning pain in the lower back, buttock, or leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting or standing for too long
- Muscle weakness in one leg
- Discomfort that feels worse on one side
There’s no one-size-fits-all cause. Understanding what causes sciatic nerve pain often means looking at several potential contributors, including structural, muscular, and lifestyle-related possibilities.
Herniated Discs and Sciatica
One of the most common causes of sciatic nerve pain is a herniated disc. Between each bone in your spine (vertebra) is a soft cushion called a disc. These discs act as shock absorbers and help your spine move smoothly. When a disc becomes damaged, usually from wear and tear or injury, it can bulge or rupture. This is called a herniated disc, and it can press directly on the nearby sciatic nerve.
That pressure triggers pain, often on just one side of the body. You might feel it in your lower back, hip, or all the way down your leg. Some people also notice tingling or numbness in the foot. Herniated discs are especially common in the lower spine, where the sciatic nerve begins. While they can happen at any age, disc changes tend to become more common as we get older. In fact, herniated discs are just one of several age-related spinal issues that can lead to sciatica.
Spinal Stenosis and Age-Related Changes
Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in your spine narrow, often due to aging, arthritis, or wear and tear. This narrowing can press on the sciatic nerve, triggering symptoms that feel a lot like a herniated disc.
Signs that spinal stenosis may be what causes sciatic nerve pain include:
- Pain that gets worse when standing or walking for long periods
- Relief when sitting or bending forward
- Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
- Muscle weakness in the lower body
- Trouble with balance or coordination
While these changes are common as we age, sciatica isn’t always rooted in the spine. Sometimes, muscle tension, especially in the hips and glutes, is the real culprit.
Muscle Tension and Piriformis Syndrome
Not all sciatic nerve pain starts in the spine. In some cases, tight muscles deep in the hip can irritate or compress the sciatic nerve. This is known as piriformis syndrome, and it often gets overlooked.
The piriformis muscle sits under the glutes and helps rotate the hip. If it becomes inflamed or overly tight (from overuse, sitting too long, or an injury), it can press directly on the sciatic nerve as it passes through or near the muscle.
Symptoms of piriformis-related sciatic pain may include:
- A deep, aching pain in the buttock
- Pain that worsens after sitting or climbing stairs
- Tingling or numbness that radiates down the leg
- Relief when lying down or gently stretching the hips
Because this type of pain is muscular in origin, it often responds well to acupuncture, targeted stretching, and posture adjustments. Addressing these soft-tissue causes is an important part of treating sciatic nerve pain effectively.
Pregnancy, Posture, and Daily Habits
Sometimes, sciatic nerve pain isn’t caused by a major injury or spinal condition. It can come from the way you move, sit, stand or carry extra weight during pregnancy. These everyday habits and physical shifts can slowly put pressure on the sciatic nerve over time.
For example:
- Sitting for long hours (especially without lumbar support)
- Standing with more weight on one leg
- Lifting heavy objects incorrectly
- Wearing tight clothing that compress the sciatic nerve
The good news? These are some of the easiest causes to address. With posture support, gentle movement, and targeted care, many people see their symptoms improve significantly.
Stress and Inflammation
Most people think of sciatic nerve pain as purely physical, but stress can play a powerful role, too. Chronic stress increases inflammation in the body and keeps the nervous system in a reactive state, which can heighten pain signals and slow healing. When the muscles around the lower back and hips tighten under stress, they can put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve, making symptoms worse.
If you’ve ever wondered what causes sciatic nerve pain to flare up even when you haven’t done anything physically strenuous, stress may be part of the answer. Emotional tension, poor sleep, and ongoing anxiety all contribute to higher levels of inflammation and muscle tension—two key drivers of sciatica. Addressing these underlying stress patterns is just as important as treating the physical pain.
Acupuncture for Sciatic Pain
Acupuncture is a proven, drug-free option for treating sciatic nerve pain. It works by reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and calming the nervous system’s pain response. By targeting both the site of the pain and the deeper imbalances that may be contributing to it, acupuncture offers a whole-body approach to healing.
If you’ve been asking what causes sciatic nerve pain and how to treat it without heavy medications or invasive procedures, acupuncture is worth considering. A study by Acupuncture Today found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved mobility in patients with chronic sciatica, even when other treatments had failed.
At Willow Tree Clinic, we use targeted needling techniques, gentle manual therapy, and custom herbal formulas to help patients recover from sciatic pain and prevent future flare-ups. Whether your pain is acute or long-standing, we’ll build a treatment plan that supports your specific needs.
And if you’ve been putting off care, now’s the perfect time to come in.
End-of-Year Reminder: Use Your Benefits (And Health Savings Account) Before They Expire
This is the perfect time to schedule acupuncture treatment, especially if your pain has been lingering or getting in the way of daily life. At Willow Tree Clinic in Portland, we offer evidence-based care that actually helps you feel better, not just temporarily mask symptoms.
If you’ve been meaning to get support for sciatic nerve pain (or any other ailment), don’t wait until January. Most insurance plans reset at the end of the year, and those unused HSA or FSA funds often disappear.
Book your appointment today and use your benefits before they reset. Let’s help you move through the season with less pain and more ease.
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