Myth:	Sciatica doesn’t lead to permanent damage
Truth:	Serious problems or damage can occur (though rare) Pain from sciatica results from damage to the patient’s nerve tissue. In the vast majority of cases, the nerve damage is not permanent. However, the following signs indicate that there may be a more serious problem that requires immediate medical attention: Patients who feel weakness or numbness may require surgery, and any patient experiencing these symptoms should seek professional attention. Patients who experience bowel or bladder incontinence (inability to control the bowel or bladder) and/or increasing weakness or loss of sensation in the legs should see a doctor immediately.
Myth:	The sciatic nerve is only in the rear and the leg
Truth:	The sciatic nerve runs from the low back down to the toes The sciatic nerve is located in front of the piriformis muscle (deep in the rear), including the lowest two nerves that exit from the lower spine (L4 and L5) and the first three sacral nerves (S1, S2 and S3). Each of the nerves has two branches, one on each side of the spine. The root of each nerve exits the spine between two vertebra in the low back, travels down the back of each leg, and branches out to the leg and into each foot. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body.  Sciatic pain that radiates along this nerve can be excruciating and debilitating for many patients.
Myth:	Sciatica leg pain is caused by a problem in the leg
Truth:	Sciatica leg pain is caused by a problem in the low back Patients often feel leg pain from sciatica, which leads them to believe that there is something wrong with their legs. However, because the sciatic nerve extends through the low back, legs and feet, a problem causing nerve compression in the low back can cause low back pain and feelings of pain through the legs, feet and sometimes the toes.
Myth:	Sciatica is hereditary
Truth:	The causes of sciatica are not genetic As explained above, sciatica is the result of a problem in the low back that can develop from aging or from a spinal injury. These conditions are not passed on genetically, as patients may mistakenly believe. There is no truth to the idea that sciatica is handed down from generation to generation.
Myth:	Piriformis problems can lead to sciatica
Truth:	Piriformis syndrome feels like sciatica but it isn’t the same Piriformis syndrome is a condition that is often confused with sciatica. When the piriformis muscle becomes tight, it can irritate the sciatic nerve. This causes sciatica-like pain, tingling and numbness that often run from the low back to the rear, down the leg and into the foot. Although the discomfort from piriformis syndrome feels similar to sciatica, the two have different causes. With piriformis problems, the pain is not caused by a compressed nerve root where it exits the spine as occurs with true sciatica. Correctly identifying the cause of the pain is important because the treatments for each type of pain tend to be very different.
Myth:	Arthritis or joint problems can cause sciatica
Truth:	Pain from arthritis or joint problems is not true sciatica The pain from arthritis or other joint problems is actually more common than sciatica, and they are often confused. In reality, sciatica and arthritis or joint pain are classified as different types of pain. Radicular pain like sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve. In contrast, referred leg pain from arthritis is dull, achy and often moves around and varies in intensity. Although the leg pain from arthritis may feel similar, it is not truly sciatica. Distinguishing the correct problem is important because the treatments for each type of pain often differ.