Do you suffer from a tingling sensation in the buttocks? If so, you're in the right place! Because we're going to take a closer look at one of the primary causes of tingling, numbness, and pain in your lower half. Sciatica (along with unruly children and persnickety bosses) is one of the most common causes of pain in the butt. It's estimated that 40% of people will experience sciatica at some point in their lives. Keep reading to learn more about sciatica and what you can do to relieve the symptoms for good. You've Got Some Nerve! The Skinny on the Fattest Nerve Sciatica is a medical term that refers to the symptoms caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the spinal cord in your lower back, down your buttock and thigh. It continues all the way to your feet on both sides of your body, making it the longest nerve. Not only is it the longest, but it's also the thickest nerve. At its thickest point, the sciatic nerve is the size of your thumb! So, you can imagine that when this nerve becomes pinched or inflamed, it'll cause you some serious issues. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc. Discs are fluid-filled sacs that separate the bones of the spine. When one of these discs becomes enlarged or broken, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. Pregnancy is also a common cause of a pinched sciatic nerve. And there are some rare, yet more serious conditions that could cause sciatica as well. On Pins and Needles: Signs You've Got a Case of Sciatica The most common symptom of sciatica is pain. And it's not just a pain in the buttock. You may experience pains in your lower back, buttock, legs, feet, or groin. Pains might be dull and constant. Or they might be sharp, shooting pains that travel down your legs. And you may experience a combination of the two that's made worse after long periods of sitting down. Other symptoms include tingling sensations in the buttocks, like sitting on pins and needles. You might also suffer from complete numbness in areas of your butt and legs. The sciatic nerve is also responsible for control controlling many of the muscles in your legs and feet. A pinched sciatic nerve could result in weakness causing you issues standing and walking. Treatment and Relief In most cases, sciatica is relatively easy to treat. Chiropractic care is highly effective in treating sciatica. Your chiropractor will use spinal adjustment and myofascial release to relieve pressure on the nerve. Physical therapy is also an effective, non-invasive treatment option. Stretching and exercises designed to target the lower back can help relieve the pain and keep nerve issues at bay in the future. Heat and cold therapy can help reduce inflammation that may be pressuring the nerve. You might also try other-the-counter pain medications to alleviate pain while you're getting treated for the cause of sciatica. In some severe cases, surgery might be necessary to repair the damaged disc causing the sciatic pinch. Got a Tingling Sensation in the Buttocks? If you suffer from a tingling sensation in the buttocks, it's time for you to get help! At Charschan Chiropractic, we offer chiropractic services and a complete rehabilitation facility to treat both mild and severe sciatica. Need help today? Book an appointment with Charschan Chiropractic and Sports Injury Associates today by clicking here. To better serve you, we have two convenient locations: North Brunswick, NJ, and Scotch Plains, NJ.