Is additional testing always required in cases of suspected herniated discs?

The latest thinking on disk problems is to treat them with physical therapy and rehab. You will probably be running with that for 4-8 weeks before any type of imaging study is conducted. You may want to sit on a tennis ball when the sciatica flares up. I'm not kidding and you will feel the right spot. Discontinue if any of the leg goes numb. Feel better.