Regular lower back pain usually stays in the back and feels achy or stiff. Sciatica travels from the lower back or buttock down the back of one leg, often below the knee, and can feel sharp, burning or electric, sometimes with tingling or numbness.
Typical lower back pain
- Felt mainly across the lower back
- Achy, stiff or tight
- Often worse after sitting, bending or lifting
- Usually eases with gentle movement
Typical sciatica
- Usually affects one side
- Travels from the low back or buttock down the back of the thigh, sometimes below the knee
- Feels sharp, burning or electric
- May come with tingling, numbness or a heavy leg
- Often worse with sitting, coughing or sneezing
You can have both
Many people have back pain and leg symptoms at the same time. An exam with movement, strength, reflex and sensation checks helps find where the irritation is coming from.
Seek emergency care right away for
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness in the groin or inner thighs
- Sudden or worsening leg weakness
What to do next
Keep moving gently, avoid long periods of sitting and try mild stretches such as the figure-4 stretch, stopping if leg symptoms increase. Read about sciatica care and back pain care, or book an exam.
This article is general education and is not a diagnosis. Every patient receives an individual exam before care begins.