In short
A pinched nerve in the lower back happens when a nerve root is pressed on or inflamed, most often by a disc bulge. It causes pain, tingling or numbness travelling into the buttock and leg. Most people improve over weeks to months with activity and time; some need further treatment.
On this page
What is a pinched nerve in the back?
Nerve roots leave the spine through small openings between the vertebrae. A “pinched nerve” is the everyday term for a nerve root that is compressed or inflamed. In the lower back, doctors call this lumbar radiculopathy. When it affects the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, it causes sciatica.
Symptoms
- Pain spreading from the back or buttock into the leg, often worse than the back pain
- Pins and needles, tingling or numbness in part of the leg or foot
- Weakness in some leg or foot muscles
- Pain that’s worse with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
Where the symptoms are felt depends on which nerve root is affected. Higher roots can cause pain in the front of the thigh; lower roots usually cause pain down the back or side of the leg into the foot.
Nerve pain getting in the way?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Causes
- Disc bulge or herniation, the most common cause, especially under 50
- Spinal stenosis, narrowing from age-related changes, more common over 60
- Spondylolisthesis, a vertebra slipping forward
- Rarer causes, such as a cyst, infection or tumour
How long does it take to heal?
Most people improve within weeks to a few months, often because the disc bulge shrinks and the inflammation settles. Numbness can take longer to recover than pain. A minority have symptoms that last a year or more. See how long sciatica lasts.
Treatment
- Stay active and avoid long periods of sitting or bed rest.
- Exercise and physiotherapy, guided by how your leg symptoms respond. See sciatica exercises.
- Pain management to help you sleep and stay moving. Talk to your GP about what’s appropriate.
- Injections can give short-term relief for some people.
- Surgery is considered for severe or lasting symptoms, or for weakness that is getting worse.
When to get help
See a GP if leg pain is severe, isn’t improving after a few weeks, or comes with numbness or weakness. Go to an emergency department for numbness around the groin or buttocks, new bladder or bowel problems, symptoms in both legs, or weakness that’s getting worse.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- Jensen RK, Kongsted A, Kjaer P, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica. BMJ. 2019;367:l6273.
- Ropper AH, Zafonte RD. Sciatica. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(13):1240-8.
- Fernandez M, Ferreira ML, Refshauge KM, et al. Surgery or physical activity in the management of sciatica: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Spine J. 2016;25(11):3495-3512.
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Sciatica.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.