Sciatica causes lower extremity pain. Although it usually starts in the lower back, it can spread to behind the thigh, and even lower than the knee. This is because of the fact that the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back by the spinal cord, and extends through the buttock area into the lower limbs.

It is most commonly caused by herniated lumbar disc. As a result the disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerves, and the symptoms of pain are present. The sciatic nerve can be pinched or squeezed or pressed upon by other things, such as tumors, nearby bones or muscle, or pregnancy. It can also be your aggravated by an injury, internal bleeding, or other causes. The pain can be very uncomfortable.

What does it feel like?

• Burning
• Tingling
• Numbness

Such sensations can radiate from the upper back and the lower buttock, downward. In the most severe cases even walking can be challenging or impossible. Partial relief or complete relief may be obtained by lying down.

Although bed rest is often prescribed,other options are typically employed, such as treating the cause of the sciatic pain if something is pressing on the nerve, using pain relieving medications, taking muscle relaxants, using physiotherapy or surgical procedures if the lower back nerve is compressed.

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