Sciatica is characterized by leg pain, numbness, tingling and possibly weakness that starts in your lower back and radiates down your leg. Symptoms are often worse with sitting, forward bending, walking up stairs, walking or running. There are two different sources that could be causing your sciatic pain. One is a muscle issue and the other is a disc issue (structures of the spine). Read each below to determine which category yours falls under, then follow those exercises and instructions.