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
HOW TO TREAT SCIATICA FROM BULGED/HERNIATED DISC: • How To Treat Sciatica ...
HOW TO TREAT SCIATICA FROM DDD/DEGENERATED DISC/ STENOSIS: • How To Treat Sciatic N...
HOW TO TREAT SCIATICA FROM PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME: • Sciatica Pain Relief F...
***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
HOME EXERCISES TO TREAT A HERNIATED/BULGED LUMBAR DISC: • How To Treat Sciatica ...
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)
HOME EXERCISES TO TREAT LUMBAR DDD / STENOSIS: • How To Treat Sciatic N...
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
HOW TO TREAT PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME: • Sciatica Pain Relief F...
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.
Be sure to follow Tone and Tighten on social media!
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Twitter: / toneandtighten

[@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!

[@michaelhorn9114]

I had a 600-700 pound roof smash me. Took 3 people to pull it off me. Now, 2 years later, I have severe arthritis, sciatica, really bad, And I have, but not from this accident a herniated disc for years! And I have scoliosis! I am in constant pain! I used to use a tens unit, but now, I can't use it because it hits my damaged nerves. NO ONE WILL HELP ME! THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IS SOOO MESSED UP!!!! PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!

[@davistru8250]

How long time usually it takes to treat pains out of lower back? My leg is not painful anymore, but i still feel little pain in lower back. I do your suggested exercises 5 days.

[@tomcampbell5186]

I have groin pain and it comes around the front of the thigh the upper thigh and I also have foot pain at the same time and it's usually exacerbated when sitting can you tell me have an idea what that would be

[@janetscott5452]

I think I gave the degenerative one

[@muhammadwaqasamin175]

Hi, This is Waqas I need your email address I want to share my MRI report with you so that you can suggest me exercises.

[@chrisbender8714]

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

[@toneandtighten]

Thanks so much, Chris! It’s something I actually had to work really hard on so it means a lot to hear that from a fellow professional. Thanks for watching; thanks for commenting!

[@larryneiderhiser148]

Well, I just figured out the rest of the story!!! That isn't be told!!! If you have a pinched nerve causing your back and leg pain. This what I did to stop the pain IN BOTH LEGS!!! I first tried all of the exercises that all of these guys talk about. But my pain and soreness just got worse. Hurting so bad that I had to to take ibprofen. Which helped me to REDUCE the pain and let me go to sleep at night!!! Ibprofen was my life saver. Because without it, I simply just could not stand the CONSTANT pain!!! So what I did was to buy an inverter machine. And this is what I came up with!!! You see when you get on the machine it inverts your body upside down!!! And this stretches your backbone apart!!! And is supposed to let your disk and hernated disk slip back into place and stops the nerve from being PINCHED!!! BUT IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING AND RELIEVING THE PAIN. IT WAS JUST MAKING IT WORSE!!! BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A PINCHED NERVE AND DOING THOSE EXERCISES WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!! THIS IS IT!!! SO MY IDEA IS TO WHILE BEING UPSIDE-DOWN YOU GRAB THE BED OF THE MACHINE AT ABOUT ARMS LENGTH WITH BOTH HANDS!!! AND YOU PULL UP!!! AND THEN RELEASE. OVER AND OVER!!! WHAT THIS DOES IS WHILE YOUR BODY WEIGHT IS PULLING YOUR BACK BONES APART BY PULLING UP WITH YOUR ARMS IT WORKS YOUR BACK BONES UP AND DOWN!!! (ALSO WHILE TWISTING YOUR BACK) AND THIS WORKS YOUR BONES BACK INTO POSITION!!! AND MAN DID IT WORK!!! AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I WAS PAIN FREE!!! SO I SAY STOP THESE EXERCISES WHILE YOUR NERVE IS BEING PINCHED. AND GET ON WITH THE UP SIDEDOWN MACHINE AND GET THE PINCH OUT OF YOUR BACK AND YOU WILL GET BACK TO A PAIN FREE LIFE WITHIN A WEEK FOR SURE, FOR SURE!!! Larry Believe me it might cost you a hundred dollars or so but you will find that it was the best buy' of your life time!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think is it worth a couple of hundred dollars to rid your self of this AUFUL, AUFUL PAIN!!!

[@larryneiderhiser148]

@@toneandtighten Well, I just figured out the rest of the story!!! That isn't be told!!! If you have a pinched nerve causing your back and leg pain. This what I did to stop the pain IN BOTH LEGS!!! I first tried all of the exercises that all of these guys talk about. But my pain and soreness just got worse. Hurting so bad that I had to to take ibprofen. Which helped me to REDUCE the pain and let me go to sleep at night!!! Ibprofen was my life saver. Because without it, I simply just could not stand the CONSTANT pain!!! So what I did was to buy an inverter machine. And this is what I came up with!!! You see when you get on the machine it inverts your body upside down!!! And this stretches your backbone apart!!! And is supposed to let your disk and hernated disk slip back into place and stops the nerve from being PINCHED!!! BUT IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING AND RELIEVING THE PAIN. IT WAS JUST MAKING IT WORSE!!! BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A PINCHED NERVE AND DOING THOSE EXERCISES WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!! THIS IS IT!!! SO MY IDEA IS TO WHILE BEING UPSIDE-DOWN YOU GRAB THE BED OF THE MACHINE AT ABOUT ARMS LENGTH WITH BOTH HANDS!!! AND YOU PULL UP!!! AND THEN RELEASE. OVER AND OVER!!! WHAT THIS DOES IS WHILE YOUR BODY WEIGHT IS PULLING YOUR BACK BONES APART BY PULLING UP WITH YOUR ARMS IT WORKS YOUR BACK BONES UP AND DOWN!!! (ALSO WHILE TWISTING YOUR BACK) AND THIS WORKS YOUR BONES BACK INTO POSITION!!! AND MAN DID IT WORK!!! AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I WAS PAIN FREE!!! SO I SAY STOP THESE EXERCISES WHILE YOUR NERVE IS BEING PINCHED. AND GET ON WITH THE UP SIDEDOWN MACHINE AND GET THE PINCH OUT OF YOUR BACK AND YOU WILL GET BACK TO A PAIN FREE LIFE WITHIN A WEEK FOR SURE, FOR SURE!!! Larry Believe me it might cost you a hundred dollars or so but you will find that it was the best buy' of your life time!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think is it worth a couple of hundred dollars to rid your self of this AUFUL, AUFUL PAIN!!!

[@bryanahaya3628]

Just wonderful, been searching for "sciatic nerve stretches" for a while now, and I think this has helped. You ever tried - Sonictoria Stupefying Smasher - (do a google search )? It is a smashing exclusive guide for discovering how to stopping your sciatica minus the hard work. Ive heard some great things about it and my cousin got cool success with it.

[@lucilaong1031]

@@toneandtighten .

[@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) 👍🏻

[@toneandtighten]

So glad this helped, David!

[@christinaallcock9201]

Xkckkckc,ckc,c,c, kc

[@christinaallcock9201]

Caalqlsle

[@christinaallcock9201]

Kckcdfd

[@thedude4594]

Because some asshole hit me from behind in my car.

[@extrememan41]

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!

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, Jacob! I am so glad you found this video helpful!

[@franzsela3891]

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.

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, Franz Sela! I am so glad you find my channel useful to you! I love sharing my knowledge with others!

[@simonturner1656]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos I this has help me diagnose my issues to put me on track to get my hips and back sorted out

[@Mrs.AD0099]

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.

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome, C Dhan! I am so glad this was helpful and thanks for sharing!

[@atchavan]

Thank you so much for these short and helpful videos! Was able to determine the nature of the pain that was radiating from the right side of my back and going towards the foot. Followed the tests to understand the root cause, and watched your other exercise videos to treat it. In just 2-3 days, I am already feeling better from the pain I had for 10 days that was only getting worse before watching your videos. I followed every tip from the correct sitting/sleeping posture, to the recovery/strengthening exercises, and it worked like a miracle. Very grateful for this enlightening information explained in such a simple, yet effective, manner.

[@toneandtighten]

Wonderful to hear and I am happy to help!

[@gnirupbalarkareddy874]

Your explanation was crystal clear and I could diagnose my pain and condition. Thank you a lot sir and special thanks to your better half as well.☺️

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome! I am glad you found this video so helpful and thank you for sharing.

[@mistydawson1300]

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! ❤

[@toneandtighten]

Awesome, thank you!

[@GigLifewithLexi]

Thank you! Your videos are the best and for the first time, I am experiencing relief!

[@toneandtighten]

Lexi - thank you! I appreciate your kind comment and I am thrilled that you are seeing some relief. Best of luck in the future!

[@sdeee3842]

Love your explanations and techniques !

[@toneandtighten]

Stephanie - thank you so much! I appreciate it!

[@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!

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome, Sandra! I am so glad you had such quick results!

[@larryneiderhiser148]

Well, I just figured out the rest of the story!!! That isn't be told!!! If you have a pinched nerve causing your back and leg pain. This what I did to stop the pain IN BOTH LEGS!!! I first tried all of the exercises that all of these guys talk about. But my pain and soreness just got worse. Hurting so bad that I had to to take ibprofen. Which helped me to REDUCE the pain and let me go to sleep at night!!! Ibprofen was my life saver. Because without it, I simply just could not stand the CONSTANT pain!!! So what I did was to buy an inverter machine. And this is what I came up with!!! You see when you get on the machine it inverts your body upside down!!! And this stretches your backbone apart!!! And is supposed to let your disk and hernated disk slip back into place and stops the nerve from being PINCHED!!! BUT IT STILL WAS NOT WORKING AND RELIEVING THE PAIN. IT WAS JUST MAKING IT WORSE!!! BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A PINCHED NERVE AND DOING THOSE EXERCISES WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!! THIS IS IT!!! SO MY IDEA IS TO WHILE BEING UPSIDE-DOWN YOU GRAB THE BED OF THE MACHINE AT ABOUT ARMS LENGTH WITH BOTH HANDS!!! AND YOU PULL UP!!! AND THEN RELEASE. OVER AND OVER!!! WHAT THIS DOES IS WHILE YOUR BODY WEIGHT IS PULLING YOUR BACK BONES APART BY PULLING UP WITH YOUR ARMS IT WORKS YOUR BACK BONES UP AND DOWN!!! (ALSO WHILE TWISTING YOUR BACK) AND THIS WORKS YOUR BONES BACK INTO POSITION!!! AND MAN DID IT WORK!!! AFTER ABOUT A WEEK I WAS PAIN FREE!!! SO I SAY STOP THESE EXERCISES WHILE YOUR NERVE IS BEING PINCHED. AND GET ON WITH THE UP SIDEDOWN MACHINE AND GET THE PINCH OUT OF YOUR BACK AND YOU WILL GET BACK TO A PAIN FREE LIFE WITHIN A WEEK FOR SURE, FOR SURE!!! Larry Believe me it might cost you a hundred dollars or so but you will find that it was the best buy' of your life time!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think is it worth a couple of hundred dollars to rid your self of this AUFUL, AUFUL PAIN!!!

[@adriannecotters4437]

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 KZbin. Just these two videos have made more difference then the multiple trips to physios and massage therapist have ever done. An enormous thank you.

[@toneandtighten]

Oh, that is so kind! It is my pleasure to provide valuable information that will help a ton of people!

[@Wingomon]

It started with pregnancy for me as well 😭

[@mmeynan]

Thank you so much for the detailed information about sciatica pain.

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, Moni! I hope it helps!

[@haleh1118]

Your channel is wonderful and would save a lot of people... Great job! Thank you!!

[@toneandtighten]

Oh, thank you so much! I am so glad you find my content helpful!

[@joellgarcia6172]

Amazing video, Doc!!

[@leslovesliberty1776]

Wow, this was the most useful video on back pain I've ever seen, thank you!! 🙏

[@toneandtighten]

Glad it was helpful!

[@staceytranmer3121]

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

[@vinodsudan4467]

Thanks for explaining thoroughly.

[@toneandtighten]

You're welcome, Vinod Sudan! I hope this video was helpful for you!

[@stacym5854]

Thank you so much for these videos! So helpful with diagnosis! What happens if you have 2-3 of these issues? Should you start with one set? The exercises for the DDD (creating space in the posterior parts of your spine) are opposite of what you would do for a bulging disc (stretch/arch back to push the disc more anterior). My MRI shows I have both in L4-L5 and L5-S1.

[@brittneybastedo394]

I find it interesting that he has not answered this specific question when it’s been asked. Many people what to know.

[@rimonramis8813]

I appreciate you Doc, keep the good job!

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you, rimon ramis! I appreciate supporters like you!

[@aprilwilcox5925]

This video was so helpful! Thank you!

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, April Wilcox! I am so happy to hear this was helpful!

[@asifsurti9154]

Thanks so much Dr. That has been very informative 👍 😀

[@debchiusa8013]

Thank you!! I appreciate the "let's get right to it" videos. I have horrible pain down my L leg, although my back hurts on the R side.

[@toneandtighten]

Deb - Thanks so much. I am so sorry about the pain you are experiencing right now. I hope that you find the right treatment that will help the pain go away soon. Best of luck!!

[@vlonebal1er736]

And we tried doing any of the exercises and has helped I have really bad back pain really sucks honestly I hate it and I cannot take it no more

[@Kathleensophiacitrine888]

So helpful!! Thank you so very much! Empowering.

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, Kathleen! I am glad this was helpful!

[@florypridgen4773]

Thank you for the good informations about health of hernia. 👍

[@carolbenson6524]

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

[@toneandtighten]

Happy to help!

[@leafbranch6]

thank you so much for this!

[@aqmalnas]

Thank you doctor. Finally i know what's my problem. Im subscribing to you!

[@toneandtighten]

Jambang - thank you so much! I am happy to hear you subscribed and that this video helped. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@luochaofan1060]

Best explanation I have never heard. Thank you so much

[@toneandtighten]

You're very welcome! I am happy to hear this helped so much!

[@jerryworm]

Thanks for your tips. Its a really great help.

[@toneandtighten]

You are very welcome!

[@personalinjuryshow]

Excellent explanation, thank you very much.

[@toneandtighten]

Glad it was helpful!

[@linettebourassa9519]

Great instructions! Thank you…

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome!

[@corinnejohnson801]

So awesome; thanks a million for helping me understand what’s causing my pain!!

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome!

[@vincentwong8288]

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.

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome! I am glad to hear this video helped.

[@agnieszkab.7381]

Thank you!

[@CJ4Z1JC]

wow thanks for these videos, they have been very helpful! one constant thing that i get is pain and numbness in my lower back when sitting, especially when I sit on a hard surface the pain and numbness come a lot faster. sitting on a well padded surface like with a memory foam pad or the such the pain and numbness is relieved. The pain just and numbness just stay in the lower back area and does not travel down my legs. I have had trouble with my sciatica nerve before and have done stretches to relieve the pain that I would get on my bottom but the lower back pain and numbness still continue.

[@karenpeagler4377]

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.

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, Karen! I am glad this video has been helpful for you!

[@mariusyanthan4426]

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

[@toneandtighten]

Marius, I am so happy to hear this! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment.

[@jgueritey]

I have had sciatica symptoms since February. It’s gone from the right leg to the left and now both. Also combined with back pain and priformis tightness. I’m going for an MRI but believe this may be a bulging disc. Is it possible to feel the nerve pull on both legs? Thank you for this great in depth vid!

[@bodythenics-5S]

Amazing Explanation! Thank you sir

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome! I am glad you found this helpful!

[@carmensm8]

Thanks a lot for this video . It's very helpful to diagnose the cause of sciatica.

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome!

[@jodiz5901]

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.

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you so much for your kind words and support!

[@joshgaspard392]

Great video over the past 6 months I’ve been experiencing crazy pain from back to lower glutes and this video was amazing in helping figure out what it was. Thank you so much.

[@toneandtighten]

My pleasure!

[@Ransetsu]

What did you do to relieve it? This sounds like what I'm experiencing

[@ChandraClarke]

Super, super helpful, thank you!!

[@toneandtighten]

You're welcome, Chandra Clarke! I am so glad you found this helpful and thanks for commenting!

[@rathaan4402]

Thanks for the good advice

[@toneandtighten]

You bet, Ratha An! I hope it helps!

[@ej9404]

Thank you so much for great exercisesl I have a lower right back pain and hope these exercises will help me feel better.

[@toneandtighten]

You're so welcome, E J! I hope they help you as well and thanks for commenting!

[@afy2993]

simplee and perfeecttt explaination i've ever listened. well done please keep going!!

[@toneandtighten]

I appreciate your comment so much!

[@shakilabanuhameed3514]

Really!!! Awesome 🌹🌹🌹

[@alexandergorshenin9133]

thank you very much -------great video

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome!

[@JonMorlow]

Thank you so much for you very helpful videos. Liked and subscribed.

[@toneandtighten]

Jon - thank you very much! I am happy that you found this video helpful and I am grateful for the like and subscription - that means a lot to a KZbinr like myself. Have a great day.

[@natalyatrams5702]

Thanks for explaining sciatica so well. Like!

[@toneandtighten]

My pleasure!

[@najmashazia80]

Thank you so much excellent explanation

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome! I am glad it was helpful!

[@sunnypetawriter9624]

Brilliant. Helped me diagnose piriformis issue. Great exercises in the how to relieve specific sciatic pain piriformis. Thank you so much.

[@toneandtighten]

You're welcome Sunny! I am glad this video helped you determine your issue!

[@sunnypetawriter9624]

@@toneandtighten AND I rearranged a bunch of different pillows to simulate the side sleeping recommendations. The pillow under my lumbar made the difference. I had a yoga bolster at my back, a memory foam as knee pillow and a regular pillow served as the lumbar support. That pillow was a head pillow, doubled with another softer downy one. So I rolled the downy one and it fit snugly under my neck. Felt very comfortable. So I was also giving my neck the more correct support. I did wake in the middle of the night, that's normal and usually it's difficult to get back to sleep cos I'm still feeling the pain of the 3-hour position. Last night I got back to sleep easily because I wasn't' feeling the pain (which, incidentally, is in exactly the place you pinpointed for piriformis) And when I woke I was still in the same position. Much less restlessness. So I found the perfect bed-mate for comfort and ease. And it's early days. I'm trying to do this without having to buy new stuff, but use the stuff I already have. I teach yoga to elders, my own explorations also serve them. Thank you again.

[@goldiesfam1]

Thank you sir for the explanation.

[@toneandtighten]

You are most welcome, Ina Goldman! I hope you find this video helpful!

[@Thelyricalangel7]

Yu were a big help for me today i have this really bad and i didnt know there were exercises to help

[@trishalivermoreptdpt1152]

I would like to request a video about when to stretch the hamstring muscles vs. strengthening them. I find too many patients overstretch the hamstrings and we really need them to anchor down the sacrum for pelvic stability. Thanks!

[@mikekreen9336]

Awesome video, thank you. Camille is awesome too. I never heard her try to put a word in while you were talking. You're a lucky man. I'm still trying to figure out how God turned a rib into a loudspeaker. Thanks again very informative.....

[@onequestonevideo9457]

Thank you

[@sanalro8337]

You did great job, thank you, as a physiotherapist I really admire your way of explaining just awesome 👌

[@toneandtighten]

Glad you liked it!

[@iwannamassage]

Awesome information. Thanks

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome! I hope it helps!

[@alirezaamiri2307]

Thanks

[@dsolo103]

Thank you sir for the video. Iam experiencing pain on my leg while travelling on standing or standing more than five minutes on a same place. Equally it starts pain on my lower back too.now a days Im doing some of your excercise for lower back pain it gives quiet a relief. So I request you to suggest me excercise for my leg pain which causes due to standing long while ...hoping for your response to get rid of my pain forever.thanks in advance sir

[@sawdewd4403]

So excited that I have a bulged disc

[@jjsifo1]

Thank you, really!

[@toneandtighten]

You are welcome, jjsifo1! I hope this helps you! Thanks for commenting!

[@bighomiemaui2963]

Thank you for creating this video 🤙🏾

[@toneandtighten]

No problem 👍

[@holyspirit606]

Such a lovely couple. Thank you both. 😊

[@toneandtighten]

Our pleasure and thanks for your kind comment!

[@Drnikki22]

Great... Thanks

[@toneandtighten]

Nikita - You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[@kalundepurity3162]

Waaaah. ...it works miraculously. I watched last night started the exercise and I feel better now. Good job

[@toneandtighten]

Wonderful news! I am glad you found this helpful.

[@shucham]

This saved my life you angel!

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you, shucham! I am so glad to hear this has helped you!

[@dennisluftig3526]

A big thank you!

[@toneandtighten]

You're welcome!

[@bhushaninamdar2768]

Hello Doctor. First of all, your entire video series talking about the sciatica and the remedial excercise is awesome. My mother is experiencing this pain right now. We just had the MRI done. Request you to just suggest the most appropriate exercise from among the videos you have posted here. So the report gist is => 1. Grade 1 degenerative anterolisthesis of L4 over L5. 2. Generalized facetal and ligamentum hypertrophy noted. 3. Mild disc bulge is noted at L4-L5 level indenting thecal sac and abutting nerve roots. Mild canal and foraminal narrowing seen aggravated by peridiscal osteophytes, ligamentum flavum and facetal hypertrophy. 4. Diffuse bulge of L5-S1 disc with right paracentral moderate extrusion of disc compressing intrathecal and exiting nerve roots. Mild to moderate right lateral recess stenosis and foraminal narrowing noted. 5. Mild disc bulges are seen at C4-C5 to C6-C7 level indenting anterior subarachnoid space. Mild canal and foraminal narrowing noted, aggravated by peridiscal osteophytes. There is more to this, but this what appears significant. Based on the gist of the MRI scan report details listed above, request you to suggest remedial exercises. Thanks again for these precious videos.

[@houmphanh]

Thank you for your kind sharing. What kind of type of symptoms do I have and what kind of exercise should I do when I have pain in the upper back and two legs and feet?

[@MissPersia8]

Then I don't have a bulged disc! That is such a relief! I have been experiencing muscle cramps in my calf (I have recently been working out more than I usually do) and slight pins and needles when I sit in a not-so-comfortable position. Somehow that led me to think I had sciatica.

[@umaagnihotri9386]

Hi Doctor,I feel that u are a very straight forward, honest doctor!!!!!! For my health problem I see that as a most important foundation to have trust first.!!!! After making clear, I am requesting u, can I ask u, if I give u the details about my Sciatica, will u be able to tell me exactly what kind of Sciatica I have and what exercises will help me a to reduce the a cute pain in my left leg????? I am waiting for ur reply sir!!!!!?? Thanks a lot. Uma Agnihotri. 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 God bless u sir!!!!

[@manojvarghese5235]

Nice information.

[@lifeinjville]

You are fabulous, simply said.

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your support!

[@suhailabaricz1161]

Thank you, that’s really helpful, I get sciatica when I do walking

[@toneandtighten]

You’re welcome 😊

[@031clutch]

Hey Jared, from your video, just narrowed down the “home” diagnosis with piriformis syndrome. Never thought it’d catch up to me in my 30’s. :-] Grew up an athlete and then joined the Navy as a paramedic (8 years). Always maintained good health and fitness. The pain is not fun. I’ll be reviewing your specific piriformis syndrome video further. Will be touching base on this with my Doc during my annual physical in a week. Thanks for all the insight. Cheers!

[@toneandtighten]

Best of luck!

[@soots-stayingoutofthespotl5495]

@@toneandtighten I would have liked to have seen 'sciatica from the glute minimus' included in this vid too. As a layman who's spent a weekend on YT, I'm now erring towards diagnosing that for myself when two physios and an osteopath have gone down the L5, piriformis and even psoas (bizarrely) routes so far. I could well have piriformis syndrome to an extent, but the experts all seem a bit baffled by the fact that my pain while standing is in the glutes, slightly in the hamstrings, somewhat in the front of my quads, but notably down the sides of my legs and towards the front of my calves. That is mostly referred pain though, because I can't feel it in the leg muscles at all while lying in a warm bath, and poking my butt is only place I can feel tenderness.

[@inficommint]

Your videos are very helpful. I have constant sciatic nerve pain from the bottoms right down to my foot, and a constant nerve pain at the side to the bottom of the foot which I can’t put a finger on ! I will definitely try the lying down in the stomach exercises, but my pain is getting worse every day, but being in Italy is not giving me easy access to the doctor. Any suggestions please?

[@sharoncandler]

These videos are GRAND !

[@toneandtighten]

Thanks so much, Sharon!

[@sanjaychandrasekharachari8631]

Hello Dr. Jared, I am having slip disc for almost 3 years and I hope I am doing all the exercises which I came to know after watching your videos, apparently the pain in the back increased and even worst. Now even my ankle is paining a lot and I am experiencing stiffness in left leg. I hope all these because of wrong exercise. Here is my MRI report states * L4-L5 disc shows annular bulge intending the anterior epidural fat, mildly effacing the thecal sac, perineural fat of traversing L5 nerve roots and mildly compromising the neural foramina. * L5-S1 disc shows mild posterior bulge mildly effacing the anterior epidural fat. No discrete nerve root compression evident. * Annular bulge of L4-L5 disc mildly effacing the perineural fat of traversing L5 nerve root. Can you please reply by suggesting what exercise should I follow inorder to overcome the SLIP DISC.

[@angelbythewings]

God bless you doctor

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you so much, Shanur Rahman! I hope these things help you, and thanks for commenting!

[@ambergriskaye]

Good morning, thank you for these videos, from someone who has dealt with back pains (top to bottom) from a child. This has been the best assist I've had in years beside yoga. In 52 now.

[@toneandtighten]

Amazing to hear, Kay Wright! I am so glad I could be of assistance to you! Thank you for sharing!

[@adambuchanan4972]

your a legend. im binge'ing your videos learning so much. Im going to see a sport physio in a few days. I have numbness in my left big toe. i get warm/hot washes down my shin and top of foot. I have some dull lower back pain, but nothing sharp. no pains in legs. Any general thoughts?

[@aliw3104]

I hardly ever leave a comment, but what a great helpful video. Thank you so much for this.

[@toneandtighten]

Oh, thank you so much for leaving a comment! So glad this helped.

[@dr4708]

great content great explanation

[@toneandtighten]

Thanks so much, Dewan!

[@kenlindsay8498]

Hi there, such a great video. I have spent lots in the last couple of years on massage, chiropractor etc and still suffering from regular sciatica, xrays showed I have some disc degen between L5 & S1 but also this video confirms I have a big problem with right sided piriformis syndrome (right side 45%, left side good}. I seem to get pain predominantly down right leg but more down the front than the back, is this front leg pain a usual symptom and should I concentrate on your piriformis stretches rather than degen disc stretches ? Ken

[@musemusa9164]

Thank you for the great informative video Also Thank you to your lovely wife for the demostration

[@toneandtighten]

Our pleasure! I am glad you found it helpful and thanks for commenting!

[@coreycheng9926]

thank you

[@toneandtighten]

You bet!

[@lorissapopejoy8089]

Thanks for the pregnancy stretching tips. ,demonstration

[@toneandtighten]

My pleasure!

[@vernalbailey8958]

Thank You your video is very easy understandable and quite clear,. Those test are very important for me ,..I did a do over to see where the symptoms were,. And I realize I may have a pulled buttock muscle in opposition to a damaged disc,. But Sciatica is still an issue because that nerve is the target by 78% of the issue,...BUT,.."Thank You",.. tremendously Sir,.. note:"I hit the like button",.. .......💪🏾👦🏾❤️

[@toneandtighten]

You are so welcome!

[@davistru8250]

Thanks you very much! I diagnose herniated disc without doctors help. I felt strong pains in my right side lowerback And right leg. Its increase, all the way down by leg, when i bended forward And picked UP something heavy. I do your exercises just 3 days And i feel much better. P.S. Im 22 years old. Can i do sports And work physical work if i have this problem?

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

Your wife is a great assistant thank you both be blessed

[@toneandtighten]

I agree!

[@wilhelminacattoir8661]

Good tests!

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you!

[@flim910]

Hi Jared, thank you for the detailed explanation. I’ve been able to identify my issue as likely a piriformis syndrome as the clamshell test seems to be causing the pain in my lower back and glutes. However I was watching your other video on stretches and exercises recommended for piriformis syndrome - seems like the clamshell is required for strengthening. Could you help me to understand if I should be continuing the exercise if it seems to be triggering the pain, or should I be focusing on stretches first and perhaps only work on the strengthening once the pain subsides? Also, can piriformis syndrome start off with pain in the lower back? Or is it only localised to the butt/glutes and down the leg? Really appreciate if you could provide additional guidance here. Thank you so much for your video regardless!

[@chinmaysharma2570]

Your efforts are invaluable please continue helping out people you Will get ahead

[@toneandtighten]

Chinmay - thank you very much. I appreciate your kind comment!! It means a lot. Have a wonderful day!

[@neelaramachandran8871]

Excellent

[@toneandtighten]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jaredsuarez8684]

Dr Jared you are saving me right now lol thank you

[@toneandtighten]

Oh, I appreciate that and am so glad!