9 May 2025
It was to be a fun Saturday. You were getting ready to toss the football around with your kids, who were waiting for you outside on the lawn. Just as you bent to tie your shoes, that burning, shooting pain struck again, stabbing your shoulder or shooting down your leg. Now you are stuck thinking, is this pinched nerve or sciatica?
Nerve pain, whether from sciatica or pinched nerve, can be very painful. It is extremely important to grasp the distinction between them both to make sure that the treatment you opt for hits the right mark. Let’s break down the difference between sciatica and pinched nerve for you to understand what your body has been trying to tell you.
Sciatica and pinched nerves both result in unbearable pain, but they are different. Wondering how so? Read on to learn more about the difference between sciatica and pinched nerve.
Sciatica results from a certain type of pinched nerve that affects the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back and down to each leg. This condition causes pain accompanied by muscle weakness, tingling, and numbness.
If your pain is because of sciatica, it can arise due to a bunch of factors, such as:
As herniated disc and spinal stenosis are causes that can aggravate sciatica, we highly recommend you seek non surgical herniated disc treatment or spinal stenosis treatment without Surgery by visiting Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen. We deliver personalized and non-surgical treatment plans to every patient for effective and immediate results.
Apart from the pain radiating from your lower back through the buttock and down the leg, there are various other symptoms that can be telltale signs of sciatica, including:
A pinched nerve happens when the surrounding tissues, such as muscles, cartilage, bones, or tendons, exert pressure on a nerve. This can disturb the nerve’s function, causing tingling, pain, weakness, or numbness. Pinched nerves can occur in different parts of the body, including the back, neck, and even wrists.
This painful condition can arise due to a bunch of factors, including:
As discussed above, sciatica is a type of pinched nerve, so there is no such difference between sciatica and pinched nerve symptoms. You must seek professional health care for them both. However, the former pain can be felt radiating through the lower back to straight down the leg. Whereas the former pain can arise in any part of the body, followed by these symptoms:
No, both the conditions are different. We have established that sciatica is a sort of pinched nerve. However, not every pinched nerve is sciatica. Sciatica is when the sciatic nerve pinches. On the contrary, pinched nerves can occur anywhere throughout the body and are not restricted to the spine.
Nerves are present all over your body, and any nerve can become compressed or pinched. You might experience symptoms that we discussed in your legs or arms. Whether or not you have sciatica or a pinched nerve, getting a proper diagnosis is essential.
The longer a pinched nerve occurs, the higher the risk of developing permanent damage. Early detection and immediate treatment often mean the difference between rapid relief and the need for surgery. Acute nerve pain lasts no longer than a few days to some weeks. However, on the contrary, chronic nerve pain is when a pinched nerve causes discomfort for months.
At Jersey Joint, Spine, & Regen, we are well aware that dealing with sciatica pain or pinched nerve can be frustrating, especially if you have been suffering from the symptoms for some time. We treat every patient with the highest amount of respect and dedication to uncover any underlying cause of pain.
We also determine the best treatment plan to help you get rid of your pain in a short span of time. Our board-certified specialists use minimally invasive procedures to ensure you get back on your feet faster. We are here to listen and offer the best treatment solutions to improve your quality of life and regain the freedom of mobility.