What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a syndrome characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttocks and into the lower extremities along its posterior or lateral aspect and most commonly caused by a prolapse of the intervertebral disk. Sciatica is usually caused by irritation of a nerve root of the sciatic nerve, often from compression of a disk or degenerative disease. The sciatic nerves are long, large nerves that run from the lower part of the spine, in what are called nerve “roots.” The nerves run down through each of the buttocks and all the way down the backs of the legs. If something compresses or pinches the nerve roots, it can cause lower back pain as well as pain in the buttocks or legs. Sciatica is also used to refer to pain anywhere along the course of the sciatic nerve.
