Low Back Pain vs. Sciatica: What’s the Difference?
Back pain is common. Leg pain that shoots is different.
Here’s the short answer: low back pain usually stays in the lumbar area, while sciatica is nerve-root pain that travels down one leg (sometimes into the foot) and may include numbness, tingling, or weakness.
If you’re in Calgary and unsure which one you have, this guide will help you sort it out—and choose smart next steps.
For perspective: up to 80% of adults experience back pain at least once in their lives in Canada.
Key Takeaways
Low back pain is typically localized; sciatica radiates down one leg and may include numbness/tingling/weakness.
Start with activity modifications, ice/heat, and gentle mobility; escalate if symptoms persist or worsen.
Red flags (progressive weakness, bowel/bladder changes) need urgent medical attention—don’t wait.
Assessment guides care: we test movement, nerves, and aggravators to decide on conservative care vs. imaging.
Low Back Pain vs Sciatica in Calgary
Low back pain vs. sciatica confuses people because both can start after the same trigger—lifting, twisting, sitting long hours. The pattern is the clarifier. Localized lumbar pain (across the belt line) points to mechanical low back pain. Pain that starts in the low back/buttock and travels down one leg—sometimes with pins-and-needles or foot weakness—points toward sciatica (nerve-root irritation). If you’re searching for answers in Calgary, a focused exam beats guessing on Google. We’ll show you what to look for right now.
Localized back pain signs
Pain is centered in the lower back or glutes and does not clearly run below the buttock.
Stiffness getting up from sitting; soreness with certain postures or positions.
Bending/twisting may hurt, but you don’t notice numbness or weakness in the leg/foot.
Coughing/sneezing might “twinge” the back without electric-like leg pain.
Early self-care: short walks, posture resets, ice or heat (brief sessions), and avoiding prolonged sitting.
Want a deeper dive into your low back pain? Read Can a Calgary Chiropractor Help With Low Back Pain?
Radiating sciatica signs
Pain starts in the back/buttock and travels down one leg (back of thigh/calf; sometimes into the foot).
Described as burning, shooting, electric, with possible numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Often worse with sitting, bending, or coughing/sneezing (pressure shifts on the nerve).
Morning stiffness may be notable; some people prefer gentle walking to “unlock” symptoms.
Self-check: if the pain centralizes (moves back toward the spine) with gentle movement, that’s a promising sign for conservative care.
Ready for an assessment and plan? Book with Axiom Chiropractic.
Symptoms and Causes of Low Back Pain Vs. Sciatica
Low back pain vs. sciatica share triggers but differ in generators.
Localized pain often reflects muscle strain, joint irritation, or age-related changes. Sciatica usually involves nerve-root irritation from a bulging/herniated disc, stenosis, or less commonly piriformis compression.
Your story—where it hurts, what worsens it, when it eases—plus exam findings, point to the right bucket.
Strain, Arthritis, Degeneration
Low back pain commonly follows overload (new workouts, yardwork, long drives).
Age-related changes (facet arthropathy, degenerative discs) can add stiffness without leg symptoms.
Expect ups and downs over days to weeks; improvement with movement and smart pacing.
Short-term helpers: 10–15 minutes of ice (acute flare) or 15–20 minutes of heat (stiffness), gentle walks, and posture tweaks.
Build consistency: two or three mini-breaks per day beat a single heroic stretch session.
Curious how posture ties in? See Hip pain and mobility for simple movement wins.
Disc Herniation and Stenosis
Sciatica often comes from disc material irritating a nerve-root or narrowing (stenosis) crowding the nerve.
The hallmark is leg-dominant pain that may reach the calf or foot, sometimes with numbness/weakness.
Sitting and forward-bending can increase symptoms; standing/walking might relieve them (varies by case).
Gentle graded activity helps calm the system—bed rest tends to backfire.
If pain persists or you notice worsening weakness, get checked promptly.
Read more about herniated discs here: Pinched Nerve or Herniated Disc: What’s The Difference?
Self-Care and Timing
Good news: many Low Back Pain vs. Sciatica cases respond to measured self-care.
Start small, stay active, monitor the pattern.
We’ll outline an at-home flow below; if it stalls or worsens, that’s your cue to get help.
Ice, Heat, Activity
Acute flare or post-exercise: favor ice (10–15 min, cloth barrier), repeat a few times day one.
Subacute/chronic stiffness: lean on heat (15–20 min); many feel best with low-level wraps or a warm shower.
Alternate if it feels good: heat in the morning, ice after heavier activity.
Pair with short walks (2–10 minutes) 1–2×/day; avoid long static sits.
Track what centralizes the pain—movements that bring pain closer to the spine are keepers.
For quick mobility tools, scan Thoracic Extension: Quick Guide.
Simple At-Home Self-Checks
Pattern check: does pain travel down one leg (sciatica) or stay in your back (localized)?
Position check: does sitting ramp symptoms and walking ease them (common in sciatica)?
Cough/sneeze test: sharp leg pain with Valsalva suggests nerve involvement.
Strength/sensation: any foot drop, toe weakness, or new numb patches? That’s a flag.
Time test: improving steadily over 1–2 weeks = good; getting worse = get assessed.
If you’re unsure, let’s look together: Chiropractor Calgary.
When to Get Help With Your Low Back Pain in Calgary
If your self-care plan plateaus or the pattern looks neurological, it’s time for a focused exam.
We’ll map aggravators, test movement and nerves, and decide if you need imaging now or a conservative trial first.
Most people do not need an MRI on day one—your exam drives that choice.
Red Flags: Act Now
Progressive weakness (e.g., foot drop) or worsening numbness.
Bowel/bladder changes or saddle anesthesia.
Severe, unexplained worsening after significant trauma.
Fever + back pain, history of cancer, or unintentional weight loss.
These signs warrant urgent medical attention—don’t wait for a routine visit.
Otherwise, if pain persists past 2–6 weeks despite smart care, book with us.
Assessment and Next Steps
We take a precise history, check range of motion, and run a neuro screen (strength, reflexes, sensation).
Nerve tension tests and directional preference work tell us what calms or aggravates symptoms.
Care options include mobilizations, soft-tissue work, nerve glides, and exercise coaching—always the least force necessary.
If you need imaging, we’ll explain why, what, and when, and collaborate with your family physician.
You’ll leave with a clear plan: what to do today, what to avoid, and how we’ll measure progress.
Ready to move from guessing to a plan or wondering When should you see a Calgary chiropractor?
Booking & Resources
Prefer a tailored plan? Book with Axiom Chiropractic—we’ll match ice/heat to your case and build a short home routine.
New here? Start at Chiropractor Calgary for our approach and location.
Related reads from our blog (spaced naturally through the article):
The differences between low back pain and sciatica by providing an easy-to-understand anatomical overview, as well as some common causes for both types of pain.
