Ask a PT Response: "Sciatica is a generic term which is commonly utilized to describe pain which radiates down the lower extremity. This radiating pain could be associated with a multiple number of conditions such as discogenic syndrome, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis, etc.. Determining the etiology of pain would be the first step in regards to providing appropriate treatment for sciatica. As far as utilizing ultrasound and TENS, it will depend on what is contributing to the sciatica. For example ultrasound might help with decreasing tissue irritability and increasing tissue pliability with piriformis syndrome but be ineffective for spinal stenosis. TENS, on the other hand can assist with blocking or decreasing pain but doesn't assist with helping the patient correct the underlying problem. Same goes with massage to help with decreasing tissue irritability and promoting tissue pliability. I hope this makes sense. "