Hi ~ The pain you're describing COULD be sciatica. That's when the sciatic nerve get's irritated from being compressed and becomes inflamed. This is the largest nerve in the body, and it runs from the lower spinal cord, into the hips, down the leg and into the foot. It will USUALLY hurt on the outer side of the leg, but mine often hurts behind the knee, and the outer thigh area. The pain can also radiate so it makes it kind of hard to determine WHERE the pain is coming from. Your doctor can tell you if it's sciatica or not.

I use ice for mine. Heat is worse, as it causes more swelling in the heated area. Ice reduces swelling --- use it on the lower back, as that is where the problem originates. Use it for 20 minutes every 2 hours. I would NOT do alot of exercising for awhile as you could make it worse. Gentle stretches can help, but very active exercising can hurt.

Best of luck and take care. Let us know how you do. Hugs, Lee