The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body running from the pelvis through the buttocks and the hips and then downwards at the back of both the legs. It is responsible for controlling most of the muscles in the lower legs and providing feelings or sensations to the feet, legs and the thighs. Sciatica is the pain radiating along the route of this nerve. Sciatica is not a disorder but it is a symptom of some other problems related to the herniated disk.

One of the easiest and unbearable sciatica symptoms include pain radiating from the lumber spine to the hips passing downwards towards the back of each leg. This is a very prominent sciatica symptom. It is associated with a feeling of discomfort throughout the route of the nerves passing from the lower back to the buttocks, thighs and the calf.

The intensity of the pain caused by sciatica may vary depending on different issues. It may range from a mild ache to a very severe sharp and burning sensation or a terrible discomfort. Sometimes you may have a sensation of an electric shock or a jolt. The pain becomes worst at the time when you sneeze or cough and also sitting or walking for longtime or long distances can worsen the symptoms. Severe sciatica can also make walking impossible. Many times, the sciatica symptoms are aggravated by bending at the waist or walking, but lying down calmly for sometime can relieve them. The sciatic pain begins gradually and after some time gets intensified.

Along with the pain, you will also experience the following sciatica symptoms;

The muscles along the route of the nerves in the foot or the legs become very weak or numb. Many times, the pain is experienced in one part of the leg whereas, numbness in the other. The toes or part of the foot has a tingling sensation or a pins and needles feeling. You feel as if something is pricking your legs. One of the important sciatica symptoms includes the loss of control over your bowels and bladders. It occurs very rarely but is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.

Sciatica symptoms such as numbness, tingling pain in the lower back, leg pain,, etc may vary from person to person depending on where the pressure occurs on the nerves. For instance, a lumbar segment 5 nerve impingement causes weakness in the ankle and the extension of the big toe. Generally sciatica affects one part of the body. The pain associated with it may range from dull, sharp, burning or accompanied by shooting pain starting from the buttocks and proceeding slowly downwards towards the feet.

Remember the sciatic nerve is responsible for controlling most of the muscles in the lower legs and providing feelings or sensations to the feet, legs and the thighs. As sciatica is the pain radiating along the route of this nerve combined with the fact that sciatica is not a disorder but it is a symptom of some other problems related to the herniated disk, seek advice from your doctor.