How to Tell if Leg Pain Is Actually Sciatica

Sciatica usually causes pain that travels from the lower back or hip down into the leg. Many patients describe burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp pain that follows a specific path down one side of the body.

Unlike general muscle soreness, sciatic irritation often changes with sitting, standing, walking, or bending. Pain may worsen while sitting for long periods and improve somewhat with standing or movement.

Some cases involve numbness or tingling into the calf or foot. Others feel weakness in the leg or discomfort that travels below the knee. These patterns often help identify whether the sciatic nerve is involved.

Because several different structures can irritate the nerve, a physical evaluation is important to determine whether symptoms are coming from a disc issue, joint restriction, muscle tension, or another mechanical problem in the lower back.