Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the term used to describe a set of painful symptoms that results from irritation or inflammation of your sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in your body. Your sciatic nerves (one on each side) travel from your lower back to your hips, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. When one of these nerves is irritated, you can feel the pain that travels the entire length of the nerve, from your lower back all the way to your foot.

Sciatica typically only affects on side of your body at a time, but the pain can be debilitating and turn chronic if left untreated.

What are the common symptoms of sciatica?

Typically, if you suffer from sciatica, you feel the pain that radiates from your lower back into one side of your buttocks and down the back or side of your leg. The pain may be a mild ache or a sharp, shooting pain. It may feel like a burning sensation or get worse when you sneeze or sit too long.

You may also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected side of your body.

What causes sciatica?

The most common cause of sciatic pain is a herniated disc in your lower spine. When your disc ruptures, or becomes herniated, the soft inner core of the disc that provides a cushion between your vertebrae can push out of the disc and put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Other sciatica causes include:

• Bone spurs
• Tumors
• Wear and tear, age
• Obesity
• Occupation
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes (increases risk of nerve damage)
• Spinal stenosis
• Pregnancy
• Injury

If you’re at risk of developing sciatica because of your age, lifestyle, or overall health, the team at BBC Health offers treatment that focuses on relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve and minimizing pain.

How is sciatica treated?

The best approach to relieving sciatica symptoms doesn’t involve surgery. The doctors recommend a variety of treatments and customize a plan for your individual needs. Your sciatica treatment plan may include:

• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) therapy
• Alternating ice and heat therapy
• Spinal adjustments
• Physical therapy
• Passive and active rehabilitation
• Lower back conditioning and stretching exercises

Your treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms, as well.

Don’t just live with the pain of sciatica. Call the office or schedule a consultation online so you can get back to living life without irritating, debilitating pain.