Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg, caused by injury or compression of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a symptom of another medical problem, not a disease on its own.

The most noticeable symptom is the great stabbing pain in the gluteal area and can radiate through the posterior-external part of the leg and foot.  It can cause immobility of the spine, weakness and limited movement of the affected leg, hyporeflexia (Hyporeflexia refers to a condition in which your muscles are less responsive to stimuli) and, sometimes, sensitive disorders.

Sciatic pain can be triggered by the slightest movement, such as when bending over to grab something from the floor and getting worse after standing or sitting, at night, when sneezing, coughing, laughing or after walking a long distance. It is usually relieved by lying on a side and in the mornings, after the night's rest. 

Why does sciatica occur?

Sciatica occurs due to pressure or alteration of the sciatic nerve due to various causes: piriform or pyramidal syndrome (excessive tension), disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, pelvic fracture or injury, infection and even tumors. This nerve begins in the lumbar and sacral spine (nerve roots L4-S1) and runs along the back of each leg, controlling the muscles of the back of the thigh and leg. It also provides sensitivity to the back of the thigh, posterior-external leg and the sole of the foot. According to where the sciatic nerve was pinched, it will determine the painful area.