Sciatic symptoms are caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve which exits the lumbar spine and travels through the muscles of the hip and buttocks down the back of the thigh and divides behind the knee to become two nerves that travel to the foot. Classic sciatic symptoms travel below the knee and can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and other altered sensation all the way to the toes.

Generally the further down the limb symptoms occur the more difficult they are to resolve.

Perhaps the most important principal to understand in resolving sciatica is that of centralization. Research has shown that when symptoms move from further away from the spine to closer to the spine that improvement is more likely. So that if symptoms move from the foot to the leg or the leg to the thigh then they are improving and recovery is more likely. If they move away from the spine symptoms are getting worse.

Physical therapists who treat sciatica look for positions and movements that centralize symptoms and use this information to help design a treatment program. This includes simple positions like prone lying and simple movements like the press up (similar to the cobra pose in yoga). If symptoms tend to centralize these positions and movements are promoted. If symptoms move further down the limb or get worse they are avoided.

Sciatic symptoms can be tough to manage on your own. Contact APTA.org to find a physical therapist who is an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in your area at Find a PT.

Because there can be serious consequences to pressure on the nerves of the spine a few red flags would be severe pain, muscle weakness, numbness in the groin, or changes in bowel or bladder function. If any of these symptoms occur see your doctor imminently.