Sciatica Can Affect the Back and Lower Body

The sciatic nerve provides sensory and motor signals from the lower spine all the way to the toes, so it comes as no surprise that sciatica in the lower back produces symptoms that also affect the buttocks, back of the legs, and feet. Sciatica is a term that classifies the symptoms experienced as a result of compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The symptoms that are experienced in the lower back are said to be local, because they are felt at the site of sciatic nerve impingement in the lumbar (lower) or sacral (tailbone) regions of the spine. On the other hand, symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms felt in the buttocks, legs, and feet are described as radial because the irritation-induced messages flowing through the sciatic nerve radiate away from the site of impingement and down the length of the nerve to various nerve endings.

Localized Sciatica Back Pain and Stiffness

Do you have pain and/or stiffness in your lower back close to the area of your pelvis? There's a good chance these symptoms in your back can be considered sciatica. When the sciatic nerve is constricted by an abnormality in the spinal anatomy, the area around the nerve will typically swell, which will likely cause compression and pain. Additionally, the swelling can decrease mobility and range of motion, and even present a sensation of stiffness in the lower back.

Radial Sciatica Symptoms Stem from the Back

Just as spokes on a wheel begin at the hub and stretch to reach many points along the perimeter, the peripheral nervous system has nerve roots in the spine that function as the hub, with nerves branching away like spokes traveling to nearly everywhere along the perimeter of the human body. The sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body, stretches from the lumbar (lower) spine and down into each leg. When sciatica symptoms radiate from the back down into the lower body, it is possible for the left side, right side, or both sides simultaneously to be affected. Common radiating symptoms include a sharp, burning sensation or an electric jolt type of pain that affects the buttock, back of the thigh, and calf, as well as numbness in the leg and foot, and tingling in the toes.