Reporter Lisa Esposito writes on ways to manage sciatica. Often confused with lower back pain, sciatica is pain that tracks down the sciatic nerve and radiates out. 

"The sciatic nerve arises primarily from the L5 and S1 nerve roots," explains Joseph H. Feinberg, MD, physiatrist at HSS. "You need to have pain that radiates more into the calf or the outer aspect of the leg, or into the foot and toes."

In some cases, sciatica can be managed with physical therapy and exercises to help patients strengthen the abdominal muscles to better support the spine, says Dr. Feinberg. 

For acute bouts that involve back muscle spasms, Dr. Feinberg recommends at-home approaches such as applying ice or heat for pain relief.

Read the full article at USNews.com.