Where is sciatica pain typically located?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Sciatica is nerve pain that typically begins in the lower back and radiates through the buttock and down the back of the leg. It occurs when the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body—becomes compressed or irritated, often due to a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. Symptoms can range from a mild ache to sharp, burning pain, and may include tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg.

Because sciatica can mimic other conditions and vary widely in severity, identifying the underlying cause early is key to effective relief. If you're experiencing these symptoms, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your pain and receive guidance on the right next steps—no appointment or sign-up required.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing your sciatica pain Discover if sciatica needs urgent care See if your leg pain is sciatica Find OTC relief for sciatica pain Find a doctor for sciatica treatment Discover safe home remedies for sciatica Understand if back pain is sciatica

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Explanation

Sciatica is a type of pain that affects the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. This pain often begins in the lower back and then moves through the buttock and down the back of the leg. It can sometimes reach as far as the foot.

Where Sciatica Pain is Felt:

Lower Back: The pain often starts here.
Buttock: It travels through this area.
Back of the Leg: The pain continues down the leg.
Foot: In some cases, the pain may reach the foot.

The pain may feel sharp, like a burning sensation, or it might feel like a deep ache. Sometimes, people also experience tingling or numbness along the path of the nerve. If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to understand what might be causing your discomfort, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights in just a few minutes. These symptoms occur because something is pressing on the sciatic nerve, which can happen for various reasons, including a slipped disc or narrowing of the spine.

(References)

Valat JP, Genevay S, Marty M, Rozenberg S, & Koes B. (2010). Sciatica. Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology, 20227645.
van Tulder M, Peul W, & Koes B. (2010). Sciatica: what the rheumatologist needs to know. Nature reviews. Rheumatology, 20142811.
Hu MH, Wu KW, Jian YM, Wang CT, Wu IH, & Yang SH. (2010). Vascular compression syndrome of sciatic nerve caused by .... Annals of vascular surgery, 20472387.

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