Sciatic Back Pain If you are beginning to feel lower back or hip pain that is reaching down from your leg to the back of your thigh and towards your buttock then you may be suffering from a protruding disk pressing on the roots within your lower spinal column to your sciatic nerve. Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, may sense like a tight leg cramp that can last for weeks at a time before the symptom goes away. The pain may occur when you sneeze, cough or even sit. You may also feel numbness, burning sensation and weakness down your leg. Contact a local chiropractor to start a course of treatment for your sciatic back pain. Sciatica is normally caused by a lumbar spinal stenosis or herniated lumbar disc. This typically takes place during mid-life degenerative changes in the spine. These conditions can both be treated with surgical and  nonsurgical treatment. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. This nerve runs from the pelvis through the hip and buttock area and down both legs. At knee level it divides into the peroneal and tibial nerves. The sciatic nerve is responsible for controlling many of the muscles located in the lower body and legs and provides feeling to your feet, legs and thighs. Signs and Symptoms The pain that stems from the lower portion of the spine and down the back of your leg is known as the hallmark of sciatica. Anywhere along the path of the nerve it is possible that you may feel discomfort. It is likely that the nerves follow one of these paths: From your knee to your lower back From the outside of your calf to your midbuttock, the space between your last two toes and the top of your foot From your inner ankle and sole to the inside of your calf The intensity of the pain can vary from a sharp, intense discomfort to a mild pain. It can sometimes be described as if you a experiencing an electric shock. Sciatic back pain usually starts off slowly and gains intensity through out time. Typically being in a seated position, cough or sneeze can lead to a worse sensation. Usually only one lower extremity is affected. In addition to pain, you may also experience: Weakness or numbness of the muscles, that follows along the nerve pathway in your foot or leg. In some cases, numbness in the leg may occur in one part, while you may experience pain in another. The feeling of “pins and needles” or tingling occurring most commonly on the foot or in your toes. Cauda Equina syndrome, which is due to the loss of bowel or bladder control. It is a rare, yet serious condition that requires emergency treatment. Clinical Study Shows: The subsequent surgical procedure within a 10-year rate was 23 percent and 38 patients that were intitially treated nonsurgically and surgically, respectively. As the two studies prior, patients that initial had surgical treatment had more serious baseline symptoms and functioning than those who were treated nonsurgically. It was reported that all those who have been surgically treated had a much better improvement. However, over time the benefit of surgery reduce over time. Contact a local chiropractor to start a course of treatment for your sciatic back pain.