Picture this: you’re outside shoveling your driveway (your favorite winter activity), when you feel something slip and catch in your back. In your mind, you groan, because you’re sure you just threw your back out and would be laid up for the rest of the day, if not longer.

This often occurs due to lumbar instability. Your spine and the surrounding muscles were unable to handle the forces you were putting it through, so it buckled, throwing out your back and creating pain.

Sciatica is a common condition, with a variety of causes and treatment methods. Learning to manage this, and knowing when to get an expert opinion, are critical to getting out of pain and back to what you love.