What is sciatica?
Sciatica is the pain, numbness, and weakness in your lower back, buttocks, and legs caused by compression of your sciatic nerve. In most cases, you only have the symptoms on one side of your body, but you may develop sciatica in both legs.
A variety of conditions can cause sciatica. The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc in your lumbar spine. When one of the gel-like discs in your spine bulges, it reduces the space available for your nerves to pass through your spine and can compress the nerve. The compression irritates the nerve causing sciatica symptoms.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica causes a variety of symptoms that extend from your lower back down through your buttocks and legs. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Lower back and hip pain
- Pain in your buttocks or legs that is worse when you sit
- Burning or tingling sensations in one or both of your legs
- Numbness or weakness in one or both legs
- Shooting pain in your lower body that’s worse when you stand
Sciatica symptoms vary between patients. You may have constant pain that can range in severity, or your sciatica symptoms may come and go. If you develop severe weakness in your thighs or lose control of your bladder or bowel, get medical attention right away.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
At Innovative Pain Solutions Centers, Dr. Forsythe and Dr. Oppong provide comprehensive physical exams. They ask you about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms and perform tests to gauge your pain, range of motion, and other symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic imaging test like an MRI, X-ray, or electromyography to gather more information about your spine, nerves, and muscles to confirm a sciatica diagnosis.
How is sciatica treated?
Dr. Forsythe and Dr. Oppong provide treatments that both relieve your sciatica symptoms and heal the condition causing them. For example, they may recommend a selective nerve root block, an epidural steroid injection, or medication management to ease your pain. However, they often combine these treatments with physical therapy or aqua therapy to reduce the compression of your nerve and build strength and flexibility in your back.
If you’re concerned about sciatica, call Innovative Pain Solutions Centers or make an appointment online today.
