Sciatic Nerve Leg and Glute Pain

Sciatic pain can be a common pain for runners. It is pain that runs down the back of the leg from the glutes to the knees. There are several causes and also ways to get relief.

There are many causes of sciatic nerve pain. They may include:

A herniated disc

Pinched or compressed nerve

Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)

Bone spurs

Pregnancy

Arthritis

Tight muscles squeezing on the nerve (common for runners)

Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain:

Shooting pain from glutes to behind knee

Leg weakness, tingling or numbness

How is sciatic nerve pain treated?

Usually the sciatic nerve pain will decrease and go away over time. Depending on the cause of the sciatic pain there are a variety of ways to treat it.

Avoid prolonged sitting

Stop lunges or squats

Use a heating pad or ice on the affected area for up to 15 minutes, every 2 hours

Decrease running distance

Stop running hills or speed work

If the sciatic nerve pain is not improved over time then see a doctor for additional assessment and treatments.