If you’ve ever had sharp, burning, or electric pain shooting down your leg, you’ve probably heard the word “sciatica.” Unfortunately, you’ve probably also heard a lot of confusing or flat-out wrong information about it. Let’s clear up some of the most common myths about sciatica and talk about what actually helps you get better. Myth #1: Sciatica Is a Diagnosis Reality: Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. “Sciatica” simply describes pain that follows the path of the scia