Sciatica pain radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from your pelvis, hip and buttocks and down each leg.

The underlying cause of sciatica is most commonly a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Piriformis syndrome, the muscle that lies directly over the sciatic nerve, is another. If this muscle becomes tight or spasms it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain varies from a mild ache to a sharp, excruciating discomfort. It often starts gradually and intensifies over time and worsens when you sit, cough or sneeze. The vast majority of the time, sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, deep tissue massage of the piriformis muscle and chiropractic care.