Sciatica is a condition that commonly involves low back pain and pain shooting into the leg. In severe cases this can involve both legs. These symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. Sciatica can occur with or without trauma. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower extremity. Sciatica is caused by irritation of the nerve roots in the lower back and this can occur from degenerative changes, mechanical dysfunction, muscular imbalance, or deranged discs.
Common treatment for this condition includes ice packs topically, electrical modalities, ultrasound, stretching and other forms of therapeutic exercise and spinal adjustments. If symptoms persist with conservative management an MRI may be required to further evaluate this condition.