Can sciatica cause groin pain? How to get relief

Notice discomfort in your groin (the area between your abdomen and thighs)? In some cases, sciatica may play a role. 

Your sciatic nerve travels from your lower back through your hips and down your legs. If it becomes irritated it can cause sensations like pain, numbness, or tingling in the leg, and occasionally in the groin. “Your sciatic nerve crosses paths with nerves that travel through the groin, so sometimes pain can radiate there,” says Karla Arevalo-Alas, PT, DPT, a Hinge Health physical therapist.

Although groin pain from sciatica can be uncomfortable and make everyday activities feel more challenging, it’s often temporary. You can find relief with gentle movement, simple lifestyle adjustments, low-impact physical activity, and exercises to stretch and strengthen the area.

Read on to learn more about how sciatica can cause groin pain, plus ways to manage the discomfort — including exercises recommended by our Hinge Health physical therapists.

Symptoms of sciatica-related groin pain

Sciatica-related groin pain symptoms may vary depending on the location of the nerve issues. Possible symptoms of sciatica causing groin pain include: 

• Burning or shooting pain in the low back or butt that radiates through the groin

• Tingling or numbness in the groin that may go down either leg 

• Mobility changes, such as difficulty lifting your knee 

• Increased pain with sitting, standing, or walking 

• Muscle weakness in the affected area

How movement can ease groin pain

Gentle movement is one of the most effective ways to relieve groin pain related to sciatica. A mix of strengthening and stretching exercises can make a big difference: “Strengthening helps address muscle imbalances around your hips and lower back,” says Dr. Arevalo-Alas. “Stretching these areas supports better mobility and may reduce nerve irritation that can affect your groin.”

Notice that these exercises and stretches focus on the areas near the low back where sciatica discomfort originates. By strengthening and stretching your low back, hip, and glute muscles, you can reduce nerve irritation that may contribute to groin pain.

The information contained in these videos is intended to be used for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or treatment for any specific condition. Hinge Health is not your healthcare provider and is not responsible for any injury sustained or exacerbated by your use of or participation in these exercises. Please consult with your healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your medical condition or treatment.

Treatments for groin pain stemming from sciatica

Sciatica-related groin pain often resolves on its own with time and with conservative strategies. These include: 

• Try physical therapy and targeted exercises. Targeted exercises can help alleviate sciatica pain. You can do exercise therapy at home or work with a physical therapist who can guide you through movements tailored to your needs. You can see a physical therapist in person or use a program like Hinge Health, where you may access a PT via telehealth/video visit.

• Stay active. Low-impact activity such as swimming, cycling, or a low-intensity elliptical workout can help ease muscle tightness in your low back and hips. If you spend a lot of time sitting, try to incorporate movement snacks into your day. Taking a break to stand up and go for a short walk or doing the above exercises can help improve your comfort and prevent referred groin pain.

• Apply heat or ice. Both heat and ice can help soothe sciatica symptoms in your groin, Dr. Arevalos-Alas says. Heat relaxes tense muscles by boosting blood flow, whereas ice eases inflammation. Alternate between the two methods, or stick with the one that provides the most relief.   

• Try over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be helpful for groin pain. It’s important to make sure that you are safely able to take these medications, based on your medical history.

• Listen to your body. Movement is medicine — gentle physical activity can help ease sciatica-related symptoms. But it’s important to notice how your body responds to different exercises. If you’re having a flare-up, it can be helpful to scale back on high-intensity activities like running or jumping. Focus on low-impact movements and gradually increase the intensity or duration of your workouts as your symptoms improve.

• Try TENS therapy. TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, uses gentle electrical impulses to interact with your nervous system and help reduce pain. One option is the wearable device Enso, available through Hinge Health. It’s small, wireless, and portable.

• Complementary treatments. Talk to your provider if you’re interested in trying alternative treatments for groin pain from sciatica, such as massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic care.

When to see a doctor 

Groin pain from sciatica often improves on its own with conservative treatments, Dr. Arevalo-Alas says. But if your groin pain is severe, getting worse, or causing difficulty with daily activities, see a healthcare provider. It’s also a good idea to get care if you have:

• Loss of balance, bladder, or bowel control

• Numbness or weakness in your legs or groin 

• Fever or chills along with pain 

• Fear or anxiety with work or exercises due to pain 

PT tip: Change positions often 

There’s no “perfect” position if you have sciatica symptoms and referred pain. “We always say ‘the best position is your next position,’” says Dr. Arevalo-Alas. If sciatica is causing groin pain, try to stay active and shift positions regularly — especially if you sit at a desk. Setting reminders to move every hour can help. Regular movement can help prevent nerve irritation and support your overall comfort.

How Hinge Health can help you

If you have joint or muscle pain that makes it hard to move, you can get the relief you’ve been looking for with Hinge Health’s online exercise therapy program.

The best part: You don’t have to leave your home because our program is digital. That means you can easily get the care you need through our app when and where it works for you.

Through our program, you’ll have access to therapeutic exercises and stretches for your condition. Additionally, you’ll have a personal care team to guide, support, and tailor our program to you.

See if you qualify for Hinge Health and confirm free coverage through your employer or benefit plan here.

This article and its contents are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or professional services specific to you or your medical condition.

References

1. Bisciotti Gian, N. (2015). Groin pain syndrome: an association of different pathologies and a case presentation. Muscles, Ligaments and Tendons Journal. doi: 10.11138/mltj/2015.5.3.214

2. Davis, D., & Vasudevan, A. (2019, November 15). Sciatica. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/

3. Aguilar-Shea, A., Gallardo-Mayo, C., Sanz-González, R., & Paredes, I. (2022). Sciatica. Management for family physicians. Journal of Family Medicine & Primary Care, 11(8), 4174–4179. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1061_21