If you have ever felt a sudden, electric shock travel from your lower back through your hip and all the way down to your toes, you know exactly how debilitating sciatica can be. It is not just a simple backache. It is a persistent, gnawing, and often terrifying sensation that can make sitting, standing, or even sleeping feel like an exhausting chore. When that lightning bolt strikes, your world can feel very small, very quickly. The good news is that while sciatica is incredi