Where Does a Pinched Sciatic Nerve Hurt?

Where Does a Pinched Sciatic Nerve Hurt?

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. You might feel the discomfort almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it's especially likely to follow a path from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf.

How do you know if your sciatica is pinched?

What are the symptoms of sciatica?
  1. Moderate to severe pain in lower back, buttock and down your leg.
  2. Numbness or weakness in your lower back, buttock, leg or feet.
  3. Pain that worsens with movement; loss of movement.
  4. “Pins and needles” feeling in your legs, toes or feet.

What can be mistaken for sciatica?

Piriformis syndrome can be a real pain in the butt. The problem is, piriformis syndrome is often mistaken for sciatica. While both conditions interfere with sciatic nerve function, sciatica results from spinal dysfunction such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

Elena Rostova
Author

Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.