For individuals with pain running through the butt and down the back of the leg many wonder whether that is sciatic pain or something else. Often any pain in the butt or back of the leg is often reported as sciatica, but is it really? The answer is no but let’s go further to learn just what is what.

To begin with the sciatic nerve is comprised of several nerve roots (L4-S1). These nerve roots come from the lower back and run through the butt and down the back of the leg to the knee where it splits. This nerve lives just under the piriformis muscle. In a small percentage of people though the nerve runs through the piriformis (this can be an issue sometimes).

So, what then constitutes the true sciatic pain vs other pain which just happens to be in the same location?

True sciatic pain is that which is produced by irritation of the sciatic nerve (along its path). The irritation can result from “stretching” of the nerve, compression, or several other more complicated factors.

We must also consider the source (true nerve pain) vs a symptom of something else.

What is not sciatic pain are hamstring strains, gluteal pain and not all radicular/referred pain from the low back. It is common for people who sustained a hamstring strain to comment they feel a sharp or even burning pain from their butt down to their knee. That is the path of the hamstring muscle so if strained will be common to feel those feelings in that location. Gluteal pain due to a strain or even weakness often will have pain directly in the center of the butt. This is commonly misconstrued as sciatica but not.

For those who have suffered with low back pain, it is common enough to experience some referred pain into a leg. The path the pain takes in the leg will depend on which level or nerve root(s) is/are irritated. Issues higher in the low back (L1-L3) tend to refer into groin/the front of the leg, while lower in the back (L4/L5) will refer through the hamstring, calf, and foot. It is this irritation of L4, L5, and even S1 which are more likely to be considered a true sciatic pain. Issues from the upper lumber spine are not sciatic related.

Now that true sciatic pain vs not has been defined, what can be done about it? Well, that will depend upon the actual source. Determining the source of the pain will highlight the path to eliminating the pain. Understand that regardless of the source, good treatment options are available. There is not need to suffer in pain.

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