All of the above. I think some people end up having surgery for this if the nerve is compressed and the pain is radiating especially down the butt and leg. Worth a trip to the doc(neurologist), and to get an MRI to see if it's a fixable condition. General practice docs will more than likely refer you to a Neurologist, or blow it off and proscribe pain killers. I sort of get the same response to my migraines. Kaiser docs told me to meditate to get rid of the headaches. I told him I'd sure hate to find out I've got a brain tumor for the last five years and you guys misted it. He took a deep breath and said I think it's time we did an MRI. Amazing what the power of persuasion can do to motivate your medical professional!