What's Causing My Sciatica? Simple Tests You Can Do At Home

Sciatic nerve pain can come from multiple different sources. The most effective exercises and treatment for sciatica can vary greatly depending on where your nerve pain is originating. In this video, I'm sharing some simple signs and tests you can do at home to diagnose the problem behind your sciatic nerve symptoms in order to treat it as effectively as possible.

Important time stamps in this video:
Relevant anatomy: 0:25
How to diagnose a bulged/herniated disc: 2:54
How to diagnose degenerative disc disease/DDD/stenosis: 8:31
How to diagnose piriformis syndrome: 10:17

***The information presented in this video is for informational purposes only and is, in no way, meant to be used as personal or individual treatment recommendations. I would ALWAYS encourage you to go get assessed by a local doctor or physical therapist for a treatment plan that is best for your specific needs.

Sciatic nerve pain, or “sciatica“, is characterized as pain, numbness, or tingling that usually originates in the lower back and travels down one or both legs. As a doctor of physical therapy, this is one of the most common conditions that I treat in my clinic.

It is crucial to note, however, that “sciatica“ by itself is simply a SYMPTOM, and not a complete DIAGNOSIS. That means that “sciatica“ describes this pain/numbness/tingling down your leg, but does nothing to explain the CAUSE of these symptoms.

Here’s the thing – in order to most effectively treat your sciatic nerve pain symptoms, you have to treat the CAUSE of the pain and not just the SYMPTOM itself. It’s crucial that you uncover the specific origin of your sciatica in order to determine the most effective plan of care for your treatment.

The three most-common causes of sciatic nerve pain that I see as a physical therapist are:

1. Herniated/bulged lumbar disc
2. Degenerative disc disease/DDD/stenosis
3. Piriformis Syndrome

All three of these conditions can cause stress/irritation to the sciatic nerve which, in turn, can lead to sciatica symptoms down your leg.

Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with a BULGED/HERNIATED DISC include:
- Symptoms are unilateral (one-sided)
- Sciatic symptoms can travel all the way to the foot
- Can be pain, numbness, or tingling
- Sciatic symptoms aggravated with forward bending
- Symptoms typically alleviated or made better with standing/walking

To test for a bulged/herniated disc at home:
- Slump test
- Straight leg raise test
- Decreased muscle activation and activity

Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE/DDD/STENSOSIS include:
- Older age (over 40 years old)
- Sciatica symptoms increased with standing/extension
- Sciatic nerve symptoms alleviated with sitting/flexion
- Sitting is preferred to standing
- Sciatic symptoms can happen bilaterally (down both legs)

Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME include:
- Aggravated with sitting (pressure on the nerve; can be increased with sitting on a wallet)
- Decreased hip mobility (decreased rotation range of motion)
- Pain with muscle activation (specifically piriformis muscle contraction)

To test for a piriformis syndrome condition at home:
- Check hip mobility
- Perform a resisted muscle activation for the piriformis

Properly diagnosing your sciatic nerve pain can make all the difference in effectively treating this pain/irritation and providing you with some relief to these symptoms.

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[toneandtighten]

Low back pain and sciatica can come from a number of sources. I hope the material presented in this video gives you a better idea of where your back pain is coming from so you can start to treat it effectively and get some pain relief. Thanks for watching!

[jetgodd]

As I lay here in pain with a pinched sciatic nerve (rt side only) I am amazed at your simple and easy to understand explanations of different types of causes of sciatic pain. The exercises/stretches to relieve some of the pain are a god send…THANK YOU! I have also been using a heating pad and ice pack to help with pain relief. I have subscribed and will definitely pass this along to my peers at work (airline pilot) 👍🏻

[chrisbender]

As a PTA, I must say, you do a nice job of explaining things in laymens terms. Well done!

[vincentwong]

Jared, your this video saved my life, literally. Shortly after undergoing a Lumba compression surgery, the pain came back until I couldn't walk. My regular doctor recommended going for regular steroid jabs. My month long search on the Internet doesn't help, or rather at times worsen the pain. Until I saw this video which narrow down my diagnosis to bulged disc then follow your simple routine. Within a week, my pain had improved so much. Just 2 months after following you, I'm back to normal, able to sit, stand, walk, gardening with ease. But I still avoid heavy stuffs. Never been back to my now ex-doctor. You saved me from medical slavery. Being in Malaysia, I couldn't drop in your clinic for a faster recovery. Thank you so much.

[adriannecotters]

Finally after 4 years of Sciatic pain starting in pregnancy and continuing since, this video along with the linked video that matched my symptoms has helped me diagnose pretty much without a doubt the cause, being piriformis, and give me clear and direct steps to alleviate the pain and maybe even avoid any reoccurance in the future. I am beyond grateful and can't believe such amazing information and advice is available for free on YouTube. Just these two videos have made more difference then the multiple trips to physios and massage therapist have ever done. An enormous thank you.

[fatacata]

Mr. Tone & Tighten... You helped me fix my sciatica! I'm quarantined in NYC, I have an underlying condition so I am really practicing "Safer at Home" and last week I started having sciatica. I woke up this morning ( about a week of suffering ) and was really uncomfortable and in pain. I watched your videos, this one which helped me self diagnose what I thought might be my situation which I decided was bulged disc, and then the one for bulged disc exercises. I did all that you said and I literally had INSTANT results. I cannot thank you enough! And I had to let others know. I hope you and yours are happy and healthy. Thank you again!

[Mrs.AD]

I totally recognize my issue here. Its like when discussing piriformis syndrome you took the description of what my 8 year issue has been, summed it up and put it in this video! Im a little floored right now tbh. Iv got hope for the first time in forever!! Thank you. You're greatly appreciated.

[karenpeagler]

I had undiagnosed perthes disease which caused my leg to be shorter on one side. After being diagnosed with arthritis in the hip, I had a total hip replacement at the age of 51 years old, during the surgery it was discovered that I had no hip socket. I was diagnosed soon after with piriformis syndrome, this viseo is an answer to my problem. Thank you.

[mistydawson]

FNP here!
Well done and I would also add this was the best video I have found demonstrating and differentiating and providing how to relive pain between each of these causes of pain!

Thank you! ❤

[franzsela]

Thank you so much! Your channel is not only very helpful but very informative as well. I’m so happy to learn the term Stenosis for Degenerative Disk Disease and understand that sciatica is just a symptom.

[wavestation]

Been looking around for an hour trying to figure out how to solve my annoying Sciatic Pain and your video was far the best 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Appreciate it! Now I know it’s my Piriformis!!

[extrememan]

Your explanation and walkthrough are great. I have seen a lot of videos and they are not nearly as specific, yet easy to try out. Thanks for this video!

[carolbenson]

I've wanted to know the answers...finally someone to explain.... thanks 👍

[j.j.oliphant]

Day one, and I think it helped a little already. I’ll be back in a couple weeks to update.

[michaelb.]

Possible to have sciatica resulting from a combination of all 3: bulged disc, degenerative disc, and piriformis syndrome? If so, are there combined exercises to treat all 3 at the same time? …Awesome video! This is the BEST explanation of sciatica ! 🎉

[mariusyanthan]

Really helpful..after doing the exercises pain gradually disappeared..thank you

[staceytranmer]

Really awesome straight forward video ! Good work !
I could use advice on stretching exercises..
My symptoms are:
Right hip/lower back sciatica
Pain .numb thigh electric sensation that stretches out side Right lower leg muscle from. Knee down .. had this problem before got off pain pills and I started getting better . 3 years not much pain ..today it's the exact same problem I can hardly bare it ..very sharp pain when active . I'm very busy doing small engine repair and looking for some targeted stretching to manage my time

[D.D.T.]

When I do the test with slouching and raising leg and pulling foot back I feel the pain like a rope pulling in my glute. I don’t have much pain down the leg or numbness. Also standing feels best usually and getting out of a car hurts in same glute/low back like a sharp nerve pain. Would this still be a bulging disc or does it have to send it down the leg? You have a great way of explaining things. Thanks

[densingh]

First i say to thank u very much. 10 days before i feel left leg small pain starting 2nd day heavy pain.i cant walk. That time i watched u r video and star the exercise with in 5 day i feel very good now a day am happy. Thak u verymuch. But now right leg also staring same pblm. But am not fear this pblm am watching more videos and doing workout. Thank you

[jodiz]

OMG, after the first 2 I had to walk out of and then lie down and rest!
Your videos are the best. More informative than others I've watched.