How does a doctor diagnose sciatica?

If your doctor diagnoses you with sciatica, he or she can recommend a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. For instance, many people find that they are able to get through painful episodes with the help of physical therapy, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and possibly epidural steroid injections. read more

To diagnose the cause of your sciatica, you may need to have some imaging tests. You may have an x-ray or a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. If it's possible you have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis that's causing your sciatica, your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. read more

Your doctor may also want to know about any medications that you have used in the past. A physical and neurological examination may also be required. Since the symptoms of sciatica are quite similar to that of other problems, your doctor may ask you certain questions to diagnose the problem better. read more