Many people wonder: Is my leg pain caused by neuropathy or sciatica? Burning feet, tingling legs, or electric shock-like pain can feel similar, but these conditions are very different—and require very different treatments. We often get people in our office who think they have neuropathy when they have sciatica or the other way around. Some unlucky souls have both.
Its an easy mistake to make, the symptoms can be pretty similar. This blog breaks down what neuropathy and sciatica are, how to tell them apart, and what to do next if you’re experiencing nerve pain.
Neuropathy vs. Sciatica: Quick Comparison
- Neuropathy = nerve damage to the end of the nerve fibers typically
- Often caused by diabetes, alcoholism, chemotherapy, or vitamin deficiencies
- Usually affects both sides of the body (feet, hands)
- Starts very slowly and with slow changes in intensity and not affected by position (big one here)
- Sciatica = nerve compression
- Typically caused by a bulging disc, spinal misalignment, muscle spasm or spinal stenosis
- Usually history of prior back injury with pain radiating down leg
- Usually affects one side of the body, radiating pain down a leg or buttock (thing
Think of it this way: neuropathy is damaged nerves, while sciatica is a pinched (or compressed) nerve.
Common Symptoms
Neuropathy
- Tingling, burning, or stabbing pain (especially in feet and hands)
- Worse at night
- Numbness, balance issues, or muscle weakness
- Usually another undelying metabolic issue like diabetes, history of chemotherapy
- Musle weakness rare
Sciatica
- Sharp, electric shock-like pain shooting down the leg
- Pain worsens when sitting, bending, or lifting
- Usually one-sided, starting in the lower back or buttock and traveling down
- History of a back injury or similar pain
- May have muscle weakness of change in symptoms
👉 If your pain radiates from your lower back down one leg, it’s likely sciatica.
👉 If your feet constantly burn or feel numb, neuropathy is more likely.
Root Causes
- Neuropathy: Often metabolic, caused by high blood sugar (diabetes), poor circulation, chemotherapy, or nutritional deficiencies
- Sciatica: Often mechanical, caused by a herniated disc, misaligned spine, spinal stenosis, or muscle tension pressing on the sciatic nerve
Important: You can have both conditions at the same time, which is why professional diagnosis matters.
Treatment Approaches
Since the causes are different, so are the treatments:
- Sciatica Treatments
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Spinal decompression therapy
- Stretching and mobility exercises
- Core strengthening to stabilize the spine
- Neuropathy Treatments
- Blood sugar management
- Nerve-stimulating therapies
- Improving blood flow and circulation
- Balance training to improve nerve performance
⚠️ One of the biggest mistakes patients make is treating sciatica when they actually have neuropathy—or vice versa. Advanced diagnostics help ensure the right treatment plan.
Quick Recap
- Neuropathy = Damaged nerves, usually in both feet/hands, often chronic
- Sciatica = Pinched sciatic nerve, usually one-sided, radiating from the spine
- Treatment = Different for each condition—don’t guess, get evaluated
Final Takeaway
Pain may be common, but it is not normal. If you’re experiencing burning feet, shooting leg pain, or unexplained tingling, seek a proper diagnosis. The right treatment can relieve pain, restore function, and help you get your life back.
