Sciatica is a symptom of a medical problem, not a medical condition by itself. It is caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve, which starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. Sciatica occurs when there is pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Slipped or herniated disk
• Spinal stenosis
• Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow muscle in the buttocks)
• Pelvic injury or fracture
• Tumors
• Spondylolisthesis

Men between 30 and 50 years of age are more likely to have sciatica. Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, and it can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. The pain can be worse when coughing or sneezing or sitting for a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body. Some people also have numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. If you develop sciatica, it is important to see a doctor if self-care measures dont ease symptoms, pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse, or you have weakness in a leg or foot, a fever in addition to your pain, or a history of cancer.