Is sciatica pain different from back pain?

Back pain & sciatica: The pain from "sciatica" can be due to a problem in the back (lumbosacral spine) or due to problems outside of the back. One can have back pain without sciatica, sciatica without back pain, or back pain accompanied by sciatica (radiculopathy/radiculitis). Problems with the hips, sacrum and pelvis can be confused with back pain & sciatica. A doctor's visit may sort this out better.

Symptom Vs Cause: Sciatica is the symptom of leg pain caused by a disc herniation or narrowing where the nerve exits the spine. A disc herniation is a outpouching of the disc from its normal place into the spinal canal or on the nerve and can be a source of pain in the back or down the leg, .