You might have felt that burning sensation or stabbing pain that hits your leg from your lower back … the source of that pain is the sciatic nerve.

Among the causes are slips and falls, heavy lifting, twisting the wrong way when lifting something, exercise or sport injuries and being over weight or pregnant can all cause or contribute to the problem.

The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back and branches down through both legs and into the feet. You can feel pain along its length or just at specific points. In addition to pain, you may also feel numbness or tingling, hot or cold, or needlelike sensations.

For relief, you have to see a doctor who treats injuries using massages, electrotherapy, heat and cold, therapeutic exercise and/or drugs. Sciatica often responds to exercise and physical therapy. Yoga can also help relief the pain.