Leg pain, tingling, or numbness down the leg is often labeled as “sciatica.”

But not all leg symptoms are true sciatic nerve pain.

In reality, numbness and pain in the leg can come from several different sources — including a lumbar disc issue, irritation of the piriformis muscle, sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, or even a peripheral nerve entrapment lower in the leg. Each of these conditions can feel similar, but they require very different treatment approaches.

The key isn’t just reducing symptoms — it’s identifying what’s actually causing them. If you’ve been stretching, resting, or taking medication without lasting relief, the problem may not be what you think it is.

Read on to learn how to tell the difference.