Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the collective term for the painful symptoms caused by sciatic nerve compression, including:

• Low back pain
• Shooting pain in the hips, buttocks, or legs
• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Muscle weakness
• Lost coordination

Sciatica usually affects one side of your body. However, you can have symptoms on both sides, depending on the location of the nerve compression. 

What causes sciatica?

Your sciatic nerve begins in your low back and extends down toward your buttocks, where it splits and continues down both of your legs. In most cases, sciatic nerve compression develops in your lower back. 

A herniated disc in your lumbar (lower) spine is the most common cause of sciatica. Other issues that cause sciatica include spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, muscle spasm, and traumatic injury.

Your risk of sciatica increases if you’re overweight, have poor posture, or a physically demanding career or hobby that increases stress on your lower back. Spending too much time sitting or having a weak core can also contribute to sciatica risk. 

When should I talk to a doctor about sciatica?

You should make an appointment at Pro Sports and Elite Rehab if your sciatica symptoms persist even with at-home care such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain that lasts longer than a week or becomes progressively more severe needs medical attention.

Make an appointment right away if you have sudden or severe pain or if sciatica emerges following a traumatic accident such as an automobile collision, sports accident, or slip-and-fall. 

How is sciatica treated?

The Pro Sports and Elite Rehab team begins with a thorough exam to identify and locate the condition causing your sciatica. In addition to a physical exam and the “straight leg” test, the team uses advanced digital X-rays to examine your spine and locate the nerve compression.

Once your orthopaedic surgeon evaluates your condition, they create a personalized treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and address the issue causing them. Depending on your needs, your program could include:

• Physical therapy
• Prescription anti-inflammatory medicines and muscle relaxers
• Spinal injections
• Trigger point injections

In severe cases, you may need surgery to release the sciatic nerve compression. Your surgeon may recommend a microdiscectomy or laminectomy to reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve. 

Call Pro Sports and Elite Rehab today or make an appointment online if you have persistent and disruptive sciatica.