Sciatica Self-Assessment Quiz

Sciatica is pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of one leg to the foot. It typically feels like a sharp, burning, or electric shooting pain, and may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or leg weakness. It is usually caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve. Physiotherapy is the most effective first-line treatment and can resolve most cases without surgery.

Sciatica becomes a medical emergency when accompanied by: loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the inner thighs or groin (saddle anaesthesia), sudden severe weakness in both legs, or difficulty walking. These are signs of cauda equina syndrome — a rare but serious condition requiring emergency surgery. If you have any of these symptoms, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait for a physiotherapy appointment.

Yes. Physiotherapy is the most effective evidence-based treatment for sciatica. At PhysioNutra Clinic, Dr. Tarun Garg uses sciatic nerve mobilisation (neural gliding), McKenzie method, manual therapy, dry needling, and targeted core strengthening to relieve compression and address the root cause. Most patients with acute sciatica see significant improvement within 4–6 sessions. Chronic sciatica may require 8–12 sessions with a home programme.

PhysioNutra Clinic offers expert sciatica physiotherapy at SCO 12, Ananta Square, Gazipur Road, Zirakpur — 15 minutes from Chandigarh and 10 minutes from Mohali. A branch clinic is at Sector 20, Panchkula. Home physiotherapy for sciatica is available across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Zirakpur, and Kharar. Book via call or WhatsApp: +91 94177 91833. Hours: Mon–Sat 9AM–7PM, Sun 10AM–2PM.

General back pain is localised to the back and does not travel down the leg. Sciatica specifically involves the sciatic nerve and causes pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and into one or both legs — often below the knee and into the foot. If your pain stays in the back only, you likely have lumbar muscle strain or disc-related back pain. This quiz helps distinguish between the two and determine appropriate treatment.