The sciatic nerve (the longest
nerve in your body) runs from your pelvis through your hip area and
buttocks and down each leg. It divides into the tibial and peroneal
nerves at the level of your knees. The sciatic nerve controls many of
the muscles in your lower legs and provides feeling to your thighs, legs
and feet.
The term sciatica refers
to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve — from your back into
your buttock and leg. The discomfort can range from mild to
incapacitating, and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness or muscle
weakness. Rather than a disorder in and of itself sciatica is a symptom
of another problem, such as a herniated disk, that puts pressure on the
nerve.