re: Sciatic nerve pain

I have also had experience with this. A couple of easy things that helped me.

Obviously keep your apt with the Dr. It could be something more substantial.In my experience, most pain while lifting has little to do with the actual lifting. However, make sure you are super sensitive to form while lifting. If you are experiencing pain, it is most often caused during your regular life and aggravated by lifting. Most of the time. Not always.

Make sure you never (and I mean never) ever!! sit for any amount of time with anything in your back pockets. No wallet, notepad, anything.

Make sure that your seat in your car is properly aligned. If you are "reaching" for the steering wheel, that can cause pain.

Make sure you warm up properly and cool down properly while lifting. Maybe walk on a treadmill for 3-5 mins before lifting just to warm everything up.

I don't do bar based squats any more. Use the incline squat machine that will support your back better.

Good Luck