How do I know if it is sciatica or SI joint pain?

Sciatica usually runs below the knee and follows the nerve down the back of the leg, with numbness or tingling. SI joint pain stays in the low back, buttock, and upper thigh and flares when you stand up, climb stairs, or roll over in bed. A physical exam with specific movement tests tells them apart.

Can sciatica be treated without surgery?

Yes. Most sciatica improves with non-surgical care such as spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and targeted injections. Surgery is reserved for cases with progressive weakness or pain that does not respond to conservative treatment.

Why does my back pain travel into my leg?

Pain that radiates into a hip or leg usually means a nerve is involved, most often from a disc pressing on a nerve root in the lower spine. An exam and, when needed, imaging confirm the source.

How long does sciatica take to get better?

Many mild flares settle within a few weeks. Pain from a herniated disc or long-standing nerve irritation usually takes longer, and the timeline depends on the cause and how quickly treatment starts. Your provider will give you a realistic estimate after the evaluation.

Do you take insurance?

Most of our care is covered by many insurance plans, including Medicare. Coverage varies by insurer and individual policy, and our team verifies your benefits before any care begins.

Back Pain

Back and Spine

Sciatica or Back Pain? How to Tell Where Your Pain Is Actually Coming From

Integrated Pain Specialists / September 25, 2026

Pain that runs down the leg is not always sciatica, and low back pain is not always the disc. Here is how to read the pattern, and why the exam matters more than the label.

Spinal decompression therapy at Integrated Pain Specialists

Back and Spine

Who Is Spinal Decompression For? A Plain-Language Guide to the Table, the Series, and the Results

Integrated Pain Specialists / September 22, 2026

Spinal decompression is not a one-visit fix and it is not for every back. Here is how to tell whether your disc or nerve problem is one it can help, and what the series actually looks like.

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Back Pain

Sciatica or Back Pain? How to Tell Where Your Pain Is Actually Coming From

Who Is Spinal Decompression For? A Plain-Language Guide to the Table, the Series, and the Results