This condition is usually a result of an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the body. It then divides into many smaller nerves that travel to the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot and toes. Some people may have only mild pain, which travels down the back into the upper leg. It may feel like a dull ache or numbness. For others, the pain may be very severe and travel down the leg into the foot and toes.
Many factors affect the pain of sciatica.
Sitting for long periods of time or driving can increase the pain, as well as working out or running. Also twisting activities, especially golf and tennis, have a tendency to cause a flare-up in sciatica pain. Causes Sciatica can result in a number of different areas. A misaligned spine of one or more of the lumbar vertebra resulting in pressure on the nerve is common. This condition is known as a subluxation.