[Sandy and Ed]

I have had sciatica three times. Very painful and can be, and for me was, incapacitating. MRI clearly confirmed I had a L4/5 issue. Was scheduled for surgery with Dr Hill, neurosurgeon but insurance first wanted PT. Crazy, right?? Physical Therapist had another diagnosis: Periformis syndrome. The periformis muscle is in your buttock and can lock up your sciatic nerve. He treated it by applying his elbow onto the muscle (hurt like blazes) to loosen it and then gave me an exercise regimen. Not sure if it will come back but I haven’t had another bout for over a year. I’m not a doctor but you may just want to mention this to your own therapist.