Reviewed by Dr. Dean Younker, D.C. · Published 2026
A description, not a diagnosis
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, formed from nerve roots in the lower spine and running through the buttock and down the back of the leg. When people say sciatica, they mean symptoms felt along that path: pain, burning, tingling, or weakness that travels rather than staying put.
The word tells you where the symptoms are, not why. Finding the why is the point of the evaluation.
What the symptoms often feel like
Radiating symptoms are frequently one-sided. They may be worse when sitting, when standing from a chair, when coughing or sneezing, or after a period of inactivity. Some people describe a deep ache in the buttock; others describe an electric line down the leg to the calf or foot.
How far the symptoms travel and whether they change with position are both meaningful findings during an exam.
How it relates to the low back
Because the nerve roots begin in the lumbar spine, low back structures are usually the first place an evaluation looks. Disc-related irritation is one possibility among several, which is why disc material and back pain material are worth reading alongside this page.
Treatment decisions follow the findings. Nothing about the word sciatica by itself tells anyone which approach is appropriate.
When it is urgent
Numbness around the groin or inner thighs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or leg weakness that is clearly getting worse require immediate medical care, not a chiropractic appointment. Call 911 or go to an emergency department.
This article is general education and is not medical advice for your situation. To discuss what applies to you, request an appointment.