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What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Peer-Reviewed Article

Learn about what causes sciatica, how to diagnose it, and what treatments are available. Plus, get tips on how to prevent sciatica and when to see a doctor.

Anterior view of the pelvis labeling L4, L5, S1, S2, S3 and the sciatic nerve.

Overview

Anterior view of the pelvis labeling L4, L5, S1, S2, S3 and the sciatic nerve.

What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Medical illustration of the torso and upper legs. The sciatic nerve is highlighted in red

How Long Does Sciatica Last?

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

Grabbing knee and calf in pain

Does Sciatica Cause Knee Pain?

Piriformis Syndrome Overview

Piriformis Syndrome Overview Infographic

Doctor and patient having a discussion in an office.

Is Piriformis Syndrome the Same Thing as Sciatica?

8 Essential Facts to Know About Sciatica

8 Essential Facts to Know About Sciatica Infographic

Posterior view of pelvis with sciatic nerve going down the left leg.

Is My Pain Sciatica or Something Else?

Anatomy of the piriformis muscle and the symptoms of piriforms syndrome.

How Long Does Piriformis Syndrome Pain Last?

Why Does My Sciatica Hurt Worse in the Morning?

Video

Sciatica pain caused by disc degeneration.

Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video

Posterior view of piriformis muscles in the buttocks.

Piriformis Syndrome Video

Posterior view of the greater sciatic foramen.

Sciatic Nerve Anatomy Video

Woman questioning what is your sciatic nerve and why does it hurt so much.

Video: What Is Your Sciatic Nerve and Why Does It Hurt So Much?

Lower body skeleton showing sciatica

Sciatica Treatment Video

Symptoms

Posterior view of the lower body showing sciatica pain in the legs.

Sciatica Symptoms

Posterior view of the lower body showing sciatic numbness in the legs.

Understanding Sciatica Symptoms: Pins and Needles, Numbness, Icy, and Burning

Medical illustration of a skeleton. The sciatic nerve is highlighted in red

Blood Vessel Conditions Causing Sciatica Symptoms

Posterior view of the lower back labeling cauda equina.

When Sciatica Pain Is a Medical Emergency

Diagram showing a metastatic tumor in the spinal column

Spinal Tumors and Sciatica Symptoms

Cauda Equina Syndrome in the lumbar spine

Spinal Cord Conditions with Sciatica Symptoms

Comparison of pain points from Sciatica and SI Joint Pain.

Is Sacroiliitis the Same Thing as Sciatica?

Posterior view of the pelvis showing pain radiating down the left leg.

Types of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Ambulance driving fast down a road

2 Sciatica Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

The upper and lower back with the bones and nerves of the spine and pelvis.

Piriformis Syndrome: When the Symptoms Indicate a Medical Emergency

Highlighting the pain area of piriformis syndrome in the lower back, buttocks and hip area

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Piriformis Syndrome

Causes and Diagnosis

Illustration of a person performing the straight leg raise test for sciatica diagnosis

Diagnosing the Cause of Sciatica

Lumbar herniated disc compressing a sciatic nerve root.

Sciatica Causes

Posterior view of the pelvis labeling the piriformis muscle and the compressed sciatic nerve

Causes of Piriformis Syndrome

Treatment

Woman lying down with a heat pack on her lower back

Cold and Heat Therapy for Sciatica

Woman applying a hot pack to her upper back

4 Commonly Overlooked Sciatica Remedies

Woman doing the supine piriformis muscle stretch for sciatica pain relief

3 Simple Stretches for Sciatica Pain Relief

Woman lying down with a heat pack on her lower back

Physical Therapy Aids and Passive Techniques for Treating Sciatica

Sciatica Surgery

Senior woman doing a hamstring stretch for sciatic pain

Sciatica Stretches and Exercises for Seniors

Medical illustration of a skeleton. The sciatic nerve is labeled and highlighted in red indicating pain, numbness or tingling.

How to Apply Heat Therapy for Your Sciatica Symptoms

Pills spilled on a counter top

Medication for Sciatica

Woman performing the supine hamstring towel stretch for sciatica pain relief

Physical Therapy and Exercise for Sciatica

Posterior view of the whole body with sciatica in the left leg.

Sciatica Treatment

TENS Electrotherapy Unit

2 Little-Known Treatments for Piriformis Syndrome

Medical illustration of the bones, muscles, and nerves in the hip joint. The piriformis muscle is labeled.

How to Use Ice to Cool Down Your Sciatica Symptoms

Doctor consulting a senior female patient

Epidural Steroid Injections vs. Exercise for Sciatic Pain Relief

Illustration of the lower spine and pelvis highlighting the piriformis muscle and a compressed sciaitc nerve.

Piriformis Syndrome Surgery

Piriformis Syndrome in the hip joint.

Piriformis Syndrome Treatment

Woman lying on the floor doing the supine piriformis muscle stretch

2 Essential Stretches to Relieve Piriformis Syndrome Symptoms

Posterior view of the pelvis showing sciatic pain traveling down the left leg.

Sciatica First Aid

Lower body showing sciatic nerve

5 Tips to Relieve Sciatica Pain

Man sitting at table in a chair to maintain good spinal posture and prevent neck pain and back pain.

How to Relieve Piriformis Syndrome Pain at Home and Work

Posterior view of the pelvis highlighting the piriformis muscle.

Piriformis Muscle Stretch and Physical Therapy

Wellness

Woman laying on the ground with one leg perpendicular to the floor doing the wall hamstring stretch

Easy Hamstring Stretches to Alleviate Your Sciatica Symptoms

Should You Avoid Walking with Piriformis Syndrome?

Should You Avoid Walking With Piriformis Syndrome? Infographic

Posterior view of the back highlighting the lumbar spine

How Your Walking Posture Affects Your Sciatic Nerve

Woman doing the cobra yoga pose

Best Yoga Poses for Sciatica Relief

Man sitting correctly in his office chair.

Everyday Activities to Relieve Sciatica

Woman riding a stationary bike at a gym

How to Exercise with Sciatica

Two elderly people walking with cross country sticks.

2 Walking Tips to Avoid Sciatica Pain

Woman siting by a desk and holding her lower back in pain.

Massage to Reduce Buttock Muscle Pain from Piriformis Syndrome

More on this Topic

Close up illustration of the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is labeled.

6 Tips to Have a Productive Doctor’s Visit if You Have Sciatica

Medical illustration of the piriformis muscle

What Is Your Piriformis Muscle and Why Does It Hurt So Much?

A plane flying in the sky

3 Pointers for Traveling With Sciatica