Pain traveling from the lower back or buttock into the leg is often described as sciatica. Depending on the underlying cause, symptoms may include: Buttock or leg pain Burning or electric sensations Numbness or tingling Tightness behind the thigh Symptoms extending into the calf or foot Discomfort with sitting, bending, or straightening the leg When the nervous system is sensitive, aggressively stretching the hamstrings is not always the best solution. What feels like a “tigh