Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 1/10/2008

Question
Lately I have been following a normal workout routine trying to get back into shape. I'm 20 years old and have had lower back problems before, resulting from a stress fracture (about 4 years ago). I am fairly active, but have put on a few pounds over the last few months, so I am going to the gym and running daily, as opposed to every so often. As I was stepping out of my car a few hours ago as I normally would, a sharp stinging sensation began in my lower back and quickly moved down the side of my left leg through the hamstring to the side of the calf. It comes and goes very often, and is always the same type of pain. I was reading about sciatia, but am unsure about how it could come all of a sudden, as I have never experienced this before. How can I treat this, whether it is due to a sciatic nerve problem or not?

Answer
First, let me apologize for the lateness of my reply; I was on vacation and forgot to set an away message.  It sounds as if you may have a misalignment, causing pressure on the sciatic nerve.  It can come on almost instantly; I would suggest that you see a chiropractor, and make sure that you are x rayed.