Sciatica is a painful condition due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the main nerve that branches off and continues down to the thighs, legs, feet, and ankles.

The physician will recommend a series of clinical examinations in order to diagnose sciatica. MR neurography may help in the diagnosis of sciatica.

Treatment for sciatica will depend on the underlying symptoms that are present.

Individuals with Sciatica often suffer the following symptoms: * Severe pain arising from the back down to the buttocks and down to the back of the legs. * Numbness * Muscular weakness * Impediment of movement or control of the leg

Generally, sciatica is caused by lumbar and sacral nerve compression. In less common causes, sciatica may be caused by compression of the sciatic nerve itself. However, there are also a number of cases in which sciatica is caused by a different factor or medical condition like the following: * Spinal disc herniation, which means pressing on one of the sciatic nerve roots. * Spinal stenosis, which is a condition wherein the spinal canal narrows and causes spinal cord compression. * Piriformis syndrome, a neuromuscular condition wherein the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle. * Sacroiliac joint dysfunction due to unhealthy postural habits and insufficient exercise leads to both vertebral and soft tissue problems. * Trigger points caused by low blood flow because of injury or chronic muscular contraction. * In some cases, sciatica can also occur during late pregnancy because the uterus presses on the sciatic nerve and other conditions brought about by pregnancy.