If you're dealing with persistent leg pain, numbness, or tingling, you've likely wondered: Is this sciatica? While sciatica is one of the most common nerve-related issues we see at Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine, not all leg pain is caused by the same condition. In fact, many people suffer for months (or years) without realizing the root of their discomfort may not be true sciatica at all.

Understanding the full spectrum of sciatica-like symptoms—and how nerve compression can show up in different ways—is critical for getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Let’s break down the different causes of leg pain that mimic sciatica and how proper diagnosis using posture scans and spinal decompression therapy can lead to lasting relief.

What is True Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that originates in the lower back and radiates down one or both legs, often following the path of the sciatic nerve. It's typically caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, most commonly due to a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

Common Symptoms:

• Sharp, shooting pain down the back of the leg
• Tingling or numbness in the lower extremities
• Pain worsens when sitting or standing for long periods
• Muscle weakness in the affected leg

Why It Stands Out: True sciatica is caused by direct nerve root compression—meaning that unless you treat the source of the compression, the symptoms won’t fully resolve.

Piriformis Syndrome: A Sciatica Impostor

Piriformis syndrome is often confused with sciatica because it produces very similar symptoms. In this case, the piriformis muscle in the buttocks irritates the sciatic nerve.

Key Differences:

• Pain is more focused in the buttock area
• May not involve lower back pain
• Often triggered by prolonged sitting or climbing stairs

Why It Matters: This isn’t a spinal issue—it’s a muscular one. Stretching, manual therapy, and postural correction often relieve symptoms more effectively than spinal treatments.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint connects your spine to your pelvis. When inflamed or misaligned, it can refer pain into the legs—mimicking sciatica.

Common Signs:

• Pain in the lower back or upper buttocks
• Discomfort when transitioning from sitting to standing
• Pain doesn’t usually travel past the knee

Why It’s Overlooked: SI joint issues are commonly misdiagnosed as lumbar disc problems. A digital posture scan can help differentiate the two.

Peripheral Neuropathy vs. Sciatica

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage typically caused by diabetes, poor circulation, or vitamin deficiencies. While it can present like sciatica, the origin and treatment are entirely different.

Symptoms to Note:

• Burning, tingling, or numbness in both feet or legs
• Pain worsens at night
• Often unrelated to movement or posture

Why This Matters: If you're treating neuropathy like sciatica, you may not see improvement. Functional care, including nutritional support and nerve-focused therapies, are more effective in this case.

Spinal Stenosis: The Progressive Pressure

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts chronic pressure on nerves—including the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms:

• Gradual onset of pain, often on both sides
• Relief when sitting or leaning forward
• Leg fatigue or weakness with walking

Why Diagnosis is Key: Spinal stenosis requires a long-term decompression and mobility strategy, not just temporary relief methods.

The Role of Posture Scans and Spinal Decompression Therapy

At Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine, we use digital posture scans to identify the source of nerve pressure and determine whether your pain is truly sciatica—or something else on the spectrum. Once diagnosed, our spinal decompression therapy gently relieves pressure from the affected nerve roots, encouraging natural healing without surgery or drugs.

Who Benefits Most:

• Adults 40+
• Those with recurring low back and leg pain
• Patients told they need injections or surgery but want non-invasive options

Do You Really Have Sciatica?

It’s easy to mislabel leg pain as sciatica—but a proper evaluation can reveal the true cause. Misdiagnosis leads to ineffective treatment and prolonged suffering. That’s why accurate diagnostics and customized care plans are essential.

Where to Begin

If you’re dealing with:

• Pain radiating down your leg
• Numbness or tingling in your feet
• Discomfort that hasn’t improved with rest or medications

…you could be on the sciatica spectrum. But without the right diagnosis, you may never find real relief.

Start With Us At Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA, our integrated care team is here to help you understand the root cause of your pain—and treat it with the right tools.

Call (707) 452-3500 to schedule your consultation or book online at www.absoluteintegrativehealth.com

Get clarity. Get relief. Get back to living on your terms.