Your sciatic nerve begins at your spinal cord, goes through your hips and buttocks, and then branches down each leg. This nerve is the body’s longest nerve and one of the most important ones, as it has a direct effect on your ability to control and feel your legs. When this nerve is irritated, you will experience sciatica.
Sciatica is a sensation that can manifest itself as a moderate to excruciating pain that you feel in your back, buttocks, and legs. You may also feel weakness or numbness in these areas. Sciatica is a symptom caused by an underlying injury to the nerve or to an area that impacts the nerve, such as your vertebrae (the bones in the neck and back).