Many people think they have sciatica when they feel pain in their back and leg. But the truth is, most people don’t have true sciatica. In fact, the real condition is quite rare. If you’ve been told you have sciatica or feel pain running down your leg, it is something else. Here’s why.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down the back of your legs. Sciatica occurs when this nerve gets pinched or irritated. This can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, hip, and leg. While true sciatica can be very painful, it’s not as common as you think.

Many doctors use “sciatica” to describe any pain that runs down the leg. Still, this term doesn’t tell you what’s really wrong. It also doesn’t guide you on how to fix it.

Sciatica vs. Pseudo-Sciatica

Most people who think they have sciatica actually have pseudo-sciatica. This happens when muscles or other parts outside the spine cause pain that feels like sciatica. Tight muscles like the gluteus medius or the tensor fasciae latae can cause pain that travels down the leg. But, it’s not true sciatica.

Other causes of pseudo-sciatica include problems with the sacroiliac joint or tightness in certain nerves. If you’re not in constant pain or struggling to stand, it’s pseudo-sciatica rather than true nerve problems.

Treatment for Sciatica and Pseudo-Sciatica

Whether it’s real sciatica or pseudo-sciatica, there are simple treatments that can help. At Ascend Physical Therapy in Hendersonville, TN, we focus on movement-based therapy to treat the root cause of your pain.

If you have true sciatica, exercises can help relieve pressure on the nerve. We also use dry needling and cupping to ease muscle tightness and improve mobility.

For pseudo-sciatica, we focus on releasing tight muscles that are causing your pain. Treatments like cupping and dry needling are very effective. They help in loosening tight muscles and improving blood flow. These benefits can help reduce leg pain.

Why See a Movement Specialist in Hendersonville, TN?

If you have back and leg pain and think it’s sciatica, it’s best to get checked by a physical therapist. A physical therapist can figure out if your pain is from true sciatica or something else. At Ascend Physical Therapy, we offer personalized treatments. These include dry needling, cupping, and performance therapy. Our aim is to relieve your pain and improve how your body moves.

If you’re in Hendersonville, TN, and struggling with pain that feels like sciatica, schedule an evaluation today. We can help you figure out what’s really causing your pain and get you moving pain-free again.

Conclusion

If you think you have sciatica, it is pseudo-sciatica, which is caused by tight muscles or other issues. Whether it’s true or pseudo-sciatica, the right treatment can help you feel better. At Ascend Physical Therapy, we use dry needling, cupping, and performance therapy to treat the cause of your pain. Let us help you get back to living without pain.

Contact Ascend Physical Therapy in Hendersonville, TN, to start your journey to pain-free living today!