Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body. Often, the pain extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also extend to the foot or toes. For some people, the pain from sciatica can be severe and debilitating. For others, the sciatica pain might be infrequent and irritating, but has the potential to get worse. Symptoms and signs of sciatica in TCM include:

1. Blockage of Meridians due to Cold and Damp
Main symptoms: persistent dull pain in the waist, wandering pain from hips to feet, pain is worse when the weather is cold, and vice versa, white and greasy tongue coating, deep pulse.

2. Blockage of Meridians due to Heat and Damp
Main symptoms: Severe swelling pain in waist and lower extremities, thirst, restlessness, dark urine, yellow and oily coating, slip pulse.

3. Blockage of Meridians due to Blood Stasis
Main symptoms: Severe swelling pain in waist and lower extremities, cough, severe pain when walking, numbness of lower limb, dark purple coating.

4. Deficiency of Kidney and Liver
Main symptoms: Severe swelling pain in waist and lower extremities, wandering pains, weakness of knees and legs, light and red coating, slip pulse.