• Shooting pain into either or both legs (sciatica)
• Back or leg pain aggravated by sitting or walking
• Numbness or tingling in either leg
• Back pain with radiation into the buttock muscles
• Weakness raising the toe or heel
• Inability to straighten up after bending over
• Numbness into the side of the leg or foot
• Pain into the testicles coming from your back
• Pain down the front of the leg
• Giving way of your leg
• Cramping of the same leg muscles

• You have been advised that you have sciatica

• An absent reflex
• Positive straight leg raise test
• Atrophy of a muscle in the leg
• Twitching of the leg muscle
• Weakness in extending the big toe
• Weakness when attempting to heel walk

What diagnostic tests do I need?

The following studies are needed to document the cause of your pain.

• A positive MRI scan for a disc herniation
• A large disc bulge with dessication
• Nerve root displacement from disc bulge
• A concordant discogram reproducing your symptoms

• At least 6 weeks of physical, chiropractic or accupuncture treatment
• Unsuccessful alleviation with the use of a lower back brace with metal stays
• Inadequate relief from anti-inflammatory, analgesic or muscle relaxant meds
• Unsustained improvement after epidural cortisone injections