Sciatica refers to low back pain combined with leg pain.  The pain can be electric and shoot into the buttock, then down the back of the leg.  Some people experience a numb or tingly feeling in the buttock and leg. 

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body.  It starts in the lumbar spine and travels down the back of the leg.  Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve, and often a result of a structure impinging upon the nerve.  

Some common causes for impingement include but are not limited to:

• Herniated discs in the lumbar spine
• Spinal Stenosis
• Piriformis syndrome 
• Spondylolisthesis 
• Arthritis 
• Poor posture 
• Excessive sitting 

Sciatica can be a real pain in the ass.  Conservative treatments are often successful in eliminating this pain from your life.