What Does Sciatic Nerve Mean?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, extending from the lumbar portion of the spinal cord (in the lower back) down to the legs.

Word Origin

• The word "sciatic" is of Latin origin, from the Greek word "ischiadikos," which means "subject to trouble in the hips or loins."

Sciatica

• Pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, usually felt on the back of the thigh, is known as sciatica. The most common cause of sciatica is a disc herniation pressing on the nerve.

Other Factors

• Other possible causes of sciatica include irritation from adjacent bone or muscle, tumors, internal bleeding, infection and injury.

Symptoms

• Sciatica can cause pain, burning, numbness or a tingling sensation that radiates from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh, sometimes below the knee. In many cases, sciatica is aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down.

Treatment

• Bed rest, pain medication and physical therapy are commonly-prescribed treatments for sciatica. If sciatica is caused by nerve compression at the lower spine, surgery may be required.