Sciatica is a condition involving leg pain that is usually caused by a nerve root being compressed or irritated in the lumbar spine. The source of nerve root irritation is often a herniated disc. Disc extrusion and a sequestered disc commonly cause sciatica pain.

Sciatica symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, or a combination of all three. Leg pain is usually worse compared to lower back pain, although most of the time both are present.

The majority of people with sciatica will have a directional preference. When this is the case the directional preference is used to guide treatment. Sciatica caused by a herniated disc often times has a directional preference into extension. So extension based exercise is the foundation of treatment.

While sciatica is usually the result of a disc herniation it may be related to piriformis syndrome. If sciatica symptoms are related to the piriformis muscle the treatment approach is different compared to sciatica caused by a herniated disc.