What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, from the low back or buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes into the foot. It can feel sharp, burning or electric, and it often comes with tingling, numbness or weakness in the leg.
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It is usually caused by irritation of a nerve root in the low back, for example from a disc bulge, narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) or tight hip muscles such as the piriformis. Finding the cause is the first step, because it changes which treatment will help.
