When I saw this board had a chronic pain section I had to see if anyone had sciatica so I could share my story. I'm pain free now, after 15 yrs of chronic back pain from bulging discs, and 4 years of sciatica pain so bad I could not sit or stand or touch my toes. My dance career was over. The answers were easy it was just finding the solutions that were a journey. I learned so much about the body along the way.

I don't claim to know your situation, but I really hope I can help someone because I have avoided surgery and now do jiu jitsu, capoiera and pilates at least 5x's a week. I was a professional dancer for many years. I'm 42. I'm better now than I was in my 20's and 30's.

Doctors were giving me shock therapy, adjustments, pills, exercises, nothing worked. No one had any answers for me, one sort of mentioned scar tissue, and worked on trying to break it up along my outer thigh. I needed much more. When I started going to the gym, I found out a lot of athletes have sciatica & use a foam roller. ($2.99 online) I chose to use a extra large dog toy tennis ball ($4), and spent the next year rolling my outer thigh using my body weight to break it up. I'm sooooo happy now!!! I still have to go back to the massage therapist in my doctors office to get the scar tissue across my lower back, but I have no pain, only stiffness, it affects my kicks on my left side.

The other thing that I highly recommend is a video No More Back Pain from Gaiam.com that was amazingly helpful. I still do go to a chiropractor, so my training doesn't cause me to create negative holding patterns in my spine.

Another thing I have learned if you are interested in the mind body connection: Louise Hay says the probable cause for sciatica is Being hypocritical, fear of money and of the future. Lower back represents Fear of money and lack of financial support. Working through these issues, has really made a difference for me.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.