I often get painful sciatica. My neighbor tells me that it’s my back that is causing the pain, even though the pain is in my backside, hip and the back of my leg. Is she right?

Your sciatic nerve is the long nerve that runs from your lower back down your buttock (one nerve on each side), down to the back of your thigh and down your leg.

Sciatica, pain in the sciatic nerve is almost always caused by pressure of the vertebrae, or bone in your spine, pressing on a nerve in your back. The pain then radiates down the sciatic nerve.

If you have been having frequent episodes of sciatica, you might want to consider seeing a doctor to ensure that there is nothing serious going on in your back. Your doctor may be able to help you develop a treatment plan to prevent further sciatic pain.