Sciatic pain, or sciatica, not only affects your lower back – but can result in radiating symptoms that move down the legs. If you have back pain and notice that the symptoms are moving into the legs, the nerves are likely affected by the root cause of this condition.
All types of lower back pain can be challenging to treat, especially when the sciatic nerve is affected. But there is hope! Even if you’ve only found subpar results from common treatments and a general physician, a pain management specialist offers unique solutions to address sciatic pain and other conditions.
Sciatic Pain: What You Need to Know
The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back area, branches into the buttocks and hips, and runs down through the back of the legs. If this nerve is pinched or affected in any way, then it can result in shooting or radiating symptoms that move down the legs.
Symptoms of sciatica vary depending on the patient. For example, one patient might have a pinched sciatic nerve and minimal symptoms, while another patient is experiencing severe pain from a seemingly similar condition.
Sciatic symptoms often include:
- Back pain with radiating sensations into the legs
- Burning pain in the leg
- Pain in the back of the leg
- Numbness in the leg or foot
- Overall weakness affecting the leg
- Other types of discomfort affecting a leg
Typically, sciatica only affects one side of the body, which means you only feel symptoms in one leg. Even though low back pain is a signature type of pain with sciatica, the pain can vary for each patient.
You might experience pain anywhere along the nerve pathway. The most likely type of pain starts in the lower back and follows a path down into the buttock area and then down into the back of the thigh and calf. Severe sciatica can also cause symptoms that reach down to the toes.
What Does Sciatica Pain Feel Like?
The type of sciatica pain can also vary from patient to patient. Some people have mild pain throughout the day, or the pain could be severe and sharp at times. This pain can be excruciating, making it impossible to function in daily activities.
Sometimes, sciatica pain feels like an electric shock or a jolt, which intensifies when you move in a way that affects the nerve. For example, if you sneeze or cough, it can aggravate the symptoms and cause a sudden increase in pain sensations.
It’s also important to pay attention to other no-pain sensations, such as tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness occurring in the affected foot or leg.
Common Causes of Sciatica
When a patient is experiencing sciatic symptoms, the first priority is to identify the root cause. Typically, there is a physical issue affecting the sciatic nerve, such as:
- Bone spur on the spine
- Herniated disk
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
- Anything else compressing or pinching the nerve
When the nerve is pinched, it results in localized inflammation that causes more irritation to the nerve and surrounding tissue.
Additionally, certain risk factors increase the likelihood of a patient experiencing sciatica:
- Age: Sciatica is more common in older adults.
- Obesity: Extra weight increases spinal stress, which can trigger sciatic pain.
- Diabetes: Unmanaged blood sugar issues can affect how the body manages inflammation, increasing the risk of nerve damage.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: If you are sitting all day, there is a higher risk of sciatica.
- Occupation: Employment activities can stress the lower back and increase the risk of nerve issues.
Do You Need to Talk to a Doctor About Sciatic Pain?
Mild cases of sciatica can go away with time. For example, you might experience a temporary increase in lower back pain after straining from heavy lifting. Self-care measures can reduce inflammation and help you feel better without medical interventions.
But if you find that the pain is persisting or getting worse, then it’s a sign that you should talk to a pain management specialist. Here are a few indications that you need to speak to a doctor about your sciatica symptoms:
- Sudden onset of severe pain in the leg or low back
- Muscle weakness or numbness in the leg
- Pain after a trauma injury, such as a car accident or sports impact
- Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
A general doctor, such as a primary care physician, has limited experience treating severe types of back pain. Often, the recommendation is to use anti-inflammatory or pain medications to address the immediate symptoms. But this temporary solution doesn’t offer the long-term results that can be achieved by working with a pain management specialist.
Hope for Sciatica: Treatment Solutions to Address the Pain
Even though sciatica pain can be severe, rest assured knowing that treatment options are available. In most situations, patients can find relief through non-operative interventions, helping to reduce the inflammation and calm the nerve.
First, the doctor will talk to you about lifestyle adjustments that are necessary to protect your back and prevent additional damage. Regular exercise, stretching, and maintaining proper posture and ergonomics are all essential factors to consider.
Additionally, the pain management specialist will design your treatment plan to address the specific details of your diagnosis. Finally, pain specialists offer a variety of alternative therapies to reduce inflammation and alleviate pressure on the nerve.
Treatment solutions from a pain management specialist might include:
- Cervical facet joint injections
- Steroid injections
- Radiofrequency
- Sympathetic nerve blocks
- Physical therapy
- Medications
Some of these treatments improve structural function to reduce inflammation and pressure on the nerve. Other treatments, such as a nerve block, actually reduce pain by “turning off” signal responses.
When Is Surgery Recommended for Sciatica?
Surgery should be the last treatment to consider and is only recommended when other therapies aren’t effective. It’s important for patients to understand how surgery affects the structural integrity of the spine, which is why surgical treatments are not recommended unless it is a serious situation.
The most common reasons why surgery might be necessary include changes in the bowel or bladder function or weakness in the leg. These issues affect a patient’s function and lifestyle, which is why immediate treatment is essential to prevent the condition from worsening.
Consultation for Sciatica Treatments
Sciatica pain doesn’t have to be a “normal” part of your life. If you are experiencing ongoing symptoms, then it’s time to talk to a pain management specialist about treatment options.
Our team helps with diagnostics as well as immediate and long-term treatment results. Contact us at Kentuckiana Pain Specialists to discuss our comprehensive pain management solutions and alternative treatments. We serve patients in and around the Louisville, Kentucky, area. Call for a consultation: (502) 995-4004.