A common cause of pain in the lower back or buttock region is a condition called sciatica. Sciatic pain often radiates from the lower back down through the buttock and leg. Many patients who stick to a regular program of gentle exercises and physical therapy have great results recovering from sciatic pain and preventing future episodes.

Piriformis syndrome is considered a neuromuscular disorder occurring when the piriformis muscles force compression upon the sciatic nerve. Runners tend to experience injuries to the piriformis because of the repetitive back and forth shifting of their body weight while running. The pain may be felt in the buttocks or it may present itself as pain traveling down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve has various branches for pain to travel along, which may make it hard to diagnose. Another cause of lower back pain, buttock pain, hip pain or even leg pain may be attributed to dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint (SI joint). The symptoms of an SI joint dysfunction may feel very similar to pain caused by sciatica.

Symptoms of lower back pain and buttock pain:

• Nerve pain
• Inflammation of the buttock area
• Inflammation of the lower back
• Numbness in the leg
• Pain in upper leg
• Pain throughout back of leg
• Pain in lower back
• Pain in buttocks

Possible reasons for lower back pain and buttock pain:

• Herniated disc
• Compressed disc
• Protruding disc
• Piriformis syndrome
• Sciatica
• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritic changes
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Muscle strain
• Weakness of core and back muscles
• Poor sitting or standing posture
• Fracture