Sciatica follows the nerve, so the sensation travels a path: from the lower back or buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf or foot. It is almost always one-sided, tends to worsen with sitting, and has a sharp or burning quality that muscle soreness does not. If several of the following sound familiar, you are likely dealing with more than a soft tissue problem that rest will fix:

● Pain, burning, or a shooting sensation that travels from the lower back or buttock down one leg, often into the calf or foot

● Symptoms that flare when sitting for long stretches, whether at a desk in Irvine or during a long drive, and ease when you stand and move

● Numbness or tingling in the thigh, calf, or foot that comes and goes depending on your position

● A jolt down the leg when you sneeze or cough

● One leg that feels noticeably weaker or heavier than the other during normal walking

The longer these symptoms have been present, the more important it is to get a proper evaluation. Nerve compression that goes unaddressed does not tend to resolve cleanly on its own, and waiting often means a longer recovery once care does begin. If this pattern has been going on for more than a few weeks, that is reason enough to come in.