Dr Dinesh has provided quite a comprehensive list of causes for sciatica. It would definitely be important to find out the exact cause of the problem, with that from impingment of the nerves from a prolapsed lumbar disc or disc bulge, being the most common.
It would be useful to seek an opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon, to help identify the cause of the scaitica.
First line treatment for sciatica is always conservative. ie. physiotherapy and medication. Strengthening, pain relief and postural control or event traction, are all the different things that can be done with the physiotherapist to help with the pain. It would be important to work with the physiotherapist, to target the treatment needed for the specific problem.
Hope this helps,
Dr Sean Ng
