Why Does My Sciatica Flare Up at Night or When Sitting?
If you’ve ever struggled to sit through a meal, drive a car, or sleep through the night because of pain down your leg, you’re not alone. One of the most common frustrations we hear from patients with sciatica is:
“Why does it hurt most when I’m resting?”
Whether it’s sitting on the couch, in the car, or lying in bed—sciatica can flare up at the worst times. And while it may seem like rest should help, there’s often a deeper reason behind why the pain increases during these moments.
At Wellbeing Chiropractic, we believe the more you understand about how your body works, the more empowered you’ll be to take steps toward lasting relief.
What Is Sciatica (Quick Recap)?
Sciatica is a set of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body. It travels from your lower back through the hips and buttocks, down each leg.
Sciatica is usually the result of an underlying issue such as:
A bulging or herniated disc
Spinal misalignment
Piriformis syndrome (a tight muscle compressing the nerve)
Pelvic imbalance or instability
Why Does Sciatica Get Worse When Sitting?
When you sit, especially for long periods or in poor posture, several things happen:
Your hip flexors shorten and pull on the lower spine
Your pelvis can rotate or tilt, creating asymmetry
The weight of your upper body compresses spinal discs more than when you’re standing
The sciatic nerve itself may be stretched or pinched depending on how you’re sitting
For example, sitting on a soft couch that lets your spine round forward can increase tension on the sciatic nerve. Or driving for long periods may create compression around the lumbar spine and piriformis muscle.
The result? Irritated nerves and more pain.
Why Does Sciatica Flare Up at Night?
Night-time flare-ups are common too—and just as frustrating.
When you lie down, your spine, muscles, and pelvis shift into different positions. If your body is misaligned, this can create tension on the sciatic nerve. Inflammation from the day may also settle in when you’re still, which can make discomfort more noticeable.
Other possible factors include:
Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t support your spine well
Poor sleeping positions (especially on your stomach or with one leg bent across the body)
Reduced circulation or nerve pressure due to inflammation buildup
What You Can Do Right Now
Here are a few simple strategies that may help:
Sit with support: Choose a chair with a firm base and lumbar support. Keep your hips and knees level and your feet flat on the floor.
Stretch gently: Light stretching of the hips and glutes before bed may help reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Adjust sleeping position: Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with a pillow under your knees.
Keep moving: Prolonged stillness tends to make sciatica worse. Short walks or gentle movement throughout the day can help circulation and reduce inflammation.
When to Seek Help
If sciatica is affecting your sleep, your work, or your ability to enjoy daily life—it’s time to find the cause and correct it.
At Wellbeing Chiropractic, we take a full-body view of sciatica. We look at:
Your spinal alignment
Your pelvis and posture
How your body moves and functions day to day
From there, we create a care plan that aims to relieve pressure on the nerve and restore natural movement—without drugs or surgery.
Chiropractor for Sciatica in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney
We’ve supported thousands of people with sciatica across our clinics in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and regional centres.
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