Are low back pain and leg pain related?

Low back pain and leg pain can be related because the nerves in the lower back travel into the legs. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the lower back send nerve signals to the legs, allowing them to move and feel sensations. If there is an issue with the bones, muscles, or joints in the lower back, it can cause irritation or compression of the nerve roots, leading to pain in the lower back and legs.

For example, a herniated disc in the lower back can press on a nerve root and cause sciatica, which is pain that radiates down the leg. Sciatica is a type of pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and it runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the legs. Sciatica is characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually starting in the lower back and traveling down the back of one leg. It can be a sharp, shooting pain or a dull, aching pain, and it may be worse when sitting, standing, or walking.

It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing low back pain and leg pain, as the cause of the pain will need to be properly diagnosed and treated.