Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, is a pain that originates along your sciatic nerve. This main nerve in your leg extends from the back of your pelvis down the back of your thigh, and is the ... It is pain that starts along your sciatic nerve and spreads down your buttock and the back of 1 thigh.

Understanding the Context

It is usually caused by a herniated (or bulging) disk in your spine that presses on your sciatic nerve. Some sciatica pain is linked to a tight piriformis muscle, explains Dr. Desai, which is a pear-shaped muscle near the hips and pelvis under which the sciatic nerve runs. For this type of sciatic pain, ...

Key Insights

AOL: 7 Expert-Approved Sciatica Stretches to Ease — And Prevent — Nerve Pain 7 Expert-Approved Sciatica Stretches to Ease — And Prevent — Nerve Pain What causes sciatica and how do you treat it? Sciatica, often caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, can lead to sharp pain down the leg, but doctors say most cases improve with rest, medication, ... Sciatica is nerve pain from an injury or irritation to your sciatic nerve. In addition to pain, it can involve tingling or numbness in your back or butt that may radiate down your leg. What Is Sciatica?

Final Thoughts

Sciatica means an irritated or compressed sciatic nerve. It's a nerve that travels from your lower back down each leg — and can commonly cause pain in your backside.