What is sciatic pain?

Shooting leg pain: Sciatic pain is due to irritation of the sciatic nerve that runs down either leg. It can present with lower back or buttock pain that is commonly described as shooting. It is generally painful all the way to the foot and becomes worse with hip flexion movements such as sitting or lifting the knee.

"nerve" pain: Sciatic pain (sciatica) is a common term used to describe pain that is felt in the leg, emanating from the back. The sciatic nerve is a bundle of nerves that exits the low back and supplies the legs. Impingement of one or more of these nerves at the back can cause pain, numbness, tingling, etc. Down that nerve (and hence down the leg). Sciatic pain should be checked by your doctor or orthopedist.

Classic Sciatica: Classic sciatica is when there is pain in the posterior aspect of the thigh. Often described as burning, stabbing - radiating down the buttocks to the posterior aspect of the knee, even to the foot. It can be due to direct irritation of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots which comprise it. Therefore the cause can be due to disk herniation at l5-s1, or l4-5 - or from a severely inflamed si joint.

Leg pain: Sciatic pain is pain that is caused by the sciatic nerve. This is a nerve that runs up the leg. This type of pain cause occur due to various reasons, but is usually due to a pinched nerve.

Sciatic pain: May be due to a "slipped disk" at the bottom of the back. Back pain exercises may help. Weight loss if obesity present may be of assistance. Heat and cold application may also help.Sciatica.

Stretch and Exercise: At your age, i would suggest stretching out and working in strengthening your cores muscles. Take some anti-inflammatories around the clock for the next few days. If you do not improve after a few days, i would consider evaluation by your doctor for further testing and treatment options like epidural steroid injections.