There are dozens of possible causes of buttock pain, and one of the most distressing is - without a doubt - sciatic pain. When you have this condition, it's referred to as sciatica.

Sciatica is actually a form of nerve pain and it occurs due to damage or trauma to the sciatic nerve. This nerve originates in the spinal column, extends through the buttock area and down to the feet. It is also the largest and longest individual nerve in your body (approximately the diameter of your thumb in some places). So when it's injured, the resulting discomfort can be intense and unrelenting.

It's also common for sciatic nerve inflammation to trigger a tingling or numbing sensation along the nerve pathway.

Most often, sciatic nerve pain begins in the spinal column, when discs or vertebrae are worn or injured. This results in inflammation along the nerve pathway. There are many different places sciatica can strike, depending on the location of the damage to the nerve: buttocks, back, legs or feet.

The sciatic nerve can become injured, damaged or worn in a number of ways. Here are several that are typical.

Very often sciatica is caused by a herniated disc in the spinal column. A herniated disc is a disc that is out of it's normal place, and is thus pressing on nerves roots in the back.

A typical cause of sciatica is incorrect posture. Your teachers knew what they were doing when they kept nagging you to sit up straight. Bad posture is likely to put pressure on the sciatic nerve in a variety of ways.

Sciatic pain can also be a sign of certain physical diseases, disorders and conditions. including:

• a disorder known as spinal stenosis, which occurs when the spinal canal becomes too narrow

• bone spurs, which are often due to arthritis, or

• a pinched nerve

The pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Movement in the affected area makes it worse. You could experience a sharp pain while sneezing or coughing. Prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms.

Usually, the pain is felt in only one extremity.

Sciatic nerve pain generally gets worse when you sit or stand for a long time. However, walking, lying down and motions that stretch or extend the spine may bring some relief.

Depending on the cause and the nature of the injury or damage, the pain of acute sciatica usually passes without treatment within a couple of months. In the meantime, there are few options for getting relief..

Contrary to conventional wisdom, there's been no scientific evidence proving that ice packs or heating pads do much good in relieving sciatic nerve pain.

However, over-the-counter pain relievers and certain kinds of steroid injections may help.

If buttock pain from sciatica goes on for several days, or gets particularly painful, talk to your doctor about physical therapy. There are a number of exercises that may also help. Surgery is not typical in sciatica cases, but may be an option when your doctor thinks there's no alternative.