What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that moves along the path of your sciatic nerve running from your lower back through your hips and down each leg. It often affects one side of the body and usually originates from a herniated disc or spinal cord narrowing that compresses a nerve.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Common signs and symptoms associated with sciatica include:
- Inflammation
- Chronic pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Leg weakness
- Radiating back or leg pain
- Sharp or shooting pain
- Burning pain
- Dull, aching pain
- An electric shock type of pain
- Pain with coughing or sneezing
Sitting down for prolonged periods can aggravate your sciatica symptoms. Complications associated with untreated sciatica include permanent nerve damage, loss of feeling in the affected leg, and loss of bladder or bowel function.
What are the risk factors for sciatica?
Anyone can develop sciatica, but some factors increase your risk of having it. Examples include:
- Older age
- Carrying heavy loads
- Prolonged sitting
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Getting regular exercise, using good body mechanics, and maintaining good posture while sitting down can reduce your risk of experiencing sciatica.
How does my doctor diagnose sciatica?
To find out if you have sciatica and develop a treatment plan, Dr. Racz discusses your symptoms and medical history. He also completes a physical exam to assess your reflexes and muscle strength.
He might suggest you undergo nerve testing, blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures to make a final diagnosis.
What are my sciatica treatment options?
Optional sciatica treatments include:
Lifestyle changes
Heat or ice packs and stretching are natural ways to reduce nerve pain associated with sciatica.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy stretches and exercises can relieve nerve pressure and pain. Your therapist may also recommend therapeutic massage or chiropractic manipulation.
Injections
Dr. Racz may suggest steroid injections to reduce inflammation and sciatica pain.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radio waves can heat nerves to reduce pain signals from traveling to your brain.
Spinal cord stimulator
A spinal cord stimulator is an implantable device that sends electrical impulses to your spinal cord to block pain signals.
Vertiflex™ Superion
Vertiflex Superion procedures use an implantable device to reduce spinal cord compression and sciatica pain.
Don’t live with numbness, tingling, and nerve pain when simple pain management solutions are within reach at Racz Pain Centers. Schedule an appointment by phone or book online today.
