Sciatica is nerve pain caused by pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve, which runs from the base of the spinal cord down the legs and into the feet.
The pain usually affects only one side, and most commonly occurs in the buttock or thigh, although it may extend down to the foot.
There may also be numbness or weakness in the affected area. Sciatica is most commonly caused by a herniated disc—the rupture of a disc in the spine (commonly also called a slipped disc)—pressing on the sciatic nerve.
Other causes include a muscle spasm, sitting awkwardly for long periods, a spinal injury or infection, or, rarely, a tumor that presses on the nerve.
It may also develop during pregnancy, due to posture changes causing pressure on the sciatic nerve. In many cases, symptoms resolve on their own. When treatment is needed, it is usually with medication. Rarely, surgery may be advised
