Back pain that moves down the legs is commonly diagnosed as sciatica, but it is important to know that not all nerve pain is sciatica. Nerve pain and sciatica can be similar, but need different treatments and have different root causes. Knowing the differences can give you the ability to seek appropriate medical attention and avoid prolonged issues.

Sciatic pain is regional; nerve pain can be more widespread. Knowing your symptoms can help you identify when a referral to a neurologist is warranted, and can also be the initial steps toward proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Nerve Pain?

Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, is the result of nerve injury, irritation or compression. In contrast to muscle pain, nerve pain can manifest as burning pain, a shooting or electric sensation, or tingling. Nerve pain can affect many different regions including, but not limited to, the legs, arms, hands, or face.

Diabetes, nerve compression, injury, and some autoimmune diseases are common causes of nerve pain.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is neuropathic pain of the largest nerve in the body (the sciatic nerve). It can be the result of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can be caused by a slipped disc, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs that are pressing on the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of sciatica are typically unilateral.

How Does Sciatica Differ From General Nerve Pain?

For sciatica and general nerve pain, the location where the pain begins and spreads is a big differentiator.

Though it can start in the lower back, sciatica starts in the lower back and/or buttock and travels down one leg. Pain associated with sciatica travels along the sciatic nerve.

General nerve pain can start and travel anywhere in the body depending on the affected nerve.

While general nerve pain and sciatica both involve negatively affected nerves, the specific reason the nerve is negatively impacted must be identified in order to treat the issue for sciatica and nerve pain effectively.

What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of Sciatica Pain

• Pain travels down the lower back and into one leg.
• Sciatica pain can also cause tingling in the leg and or foot.
• The affected leg can also be weak and/or be in pain that worsens in the sitting or standing position. The affected leg can also be weak and in pain that worsens in the sitting position.

Symptoms of General Nerve Pain

• General nerve pain can be a burning or shooting pain, numbness, or increased sensitivity to touch.
• General nerve pain can also cause weakness in the legs and loss of balance.

What is concerning is that the symptoms listed can be both sciatica and general nerve pain, or sciatica and/or general nerve pain, so a medical evaluation is needed to determine sciatica and or general nerve pain.

How Are They Diagnosed?

A detailed medical history and physical exam will be completed to look for weaknesses in the legs.

A neurologist will also run a couple of other tests to check your balance and your shooting nerve pain.

Along with this, a couple of other tests may include:

• MRI of the Nerve
• There may also be selective CT Scans.
• Tests to check your nerves, like Nerve conduction studies, and electromyography (EMG).
• There may also be Blood tests to check your Vitamin levels or infections.

These will help check if you have nerve problems anywhere else in your body besides sciatica.

What Are The Treatment Options?

Sciatica and General Nerve Pain Treatment

Treatment for both nerve pain and sciatica nerve pain will depend on the reason sciatica and/or general nerve pain is negatively affecting the nerves.

Sciatica can be treated with pain relief medications, physiotherapy, stretching, exercise, and changes in lifestyle. Physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments become essential when symptoms are severe. Suffering from sciatica can also require spinal injections and possible surgery.

Most conditions involving nerve pain require treatment based on the cause of the pain. Some of the causes of nerve pain can include diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and infections. Treatments for these conditions may lessen the pain.

The symptoms of nerve pain can be improved and maintained through a healthy weight, the regular practice of physical activity, physical therapy, and avoiding long periods of sitting.

When to Visit a Neurologist

It’s time to visit a neurologist when pain lasts for weeks, gets worse, or even leads to numbness, weakness, or lack of coordination while walking.

Deciding to visit the emergency room for sudden weakness in the legs accompanied by loss of control of the bladder and bowel, numbness of the genital region, and severe pain in the back after an injury, will be the right decision.

Conclusion

Sciatica and nerve pain can be similar in description, but are different. Sciatica pain is specifically located in the leg, while nerve pain can be frankly located anywhere in the body. This is why an accurate diagnosis is essential because the cause of these pains and their treatment are different.

Royal Care Neurosciences has dedicated neurologists who are able to give sciatica and peripheral nerve pain sufferers the treatment they need. We aim to lessen the pain of our patients through modern diagnostic tools combined with an ancient practice, arts-based medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is sciatica the same as nerve pain?

Sciatica is considered nerve pain because it occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched and inflamed.

2. If it’s not sciatica, can there still be nerve pain?

Of course. Many ailments like diabetes, injuries, vitamin deficiencies, and many neurological disorders can all cause nerve pain. All of these can affect several nerves throughout the body.

3. I have been in pain for a few weeks. When is it time to see a doctor?

You should see a neurologist if you experience weakness, numbness, or an inability to walk. You should also see a doctor in an emergency situation if you experience a loss of bowel or bladder control. Sudden weakness is also a reason for an emergency doctor visit.