Sciatic Pain

What is sciatic pain?

Sciatic pain is the discomfort caused by sciatica, a common cause of back pain stemming from pressure placed on your sciatic nerve. This nerve travels from your lower back through your buttocks, hips, and down each leg. It’s the thickest and longest nerve in the body. Sciatica can become quite painful when not treated. Fortunately, Desert Pain Specialists offers innovative solutions.

What are the symptoms of sciatic pain?

The symptoms of sciatica include:

• Radiating pain down your leg
• Numbness
• Tingling 
• Shooting discomfort
• Burning 
• Electric shock-like pain
• Muscle weakness
• Low back pain

You might also develop fecal or urinary incontinence because of untreated sciatica. Treatment with the Desert Pain Specialists team offers lasting relief and a better quality of life.

What are the risk factors for sciatic pain?

The exact cause of sciatic pain isn’t always known, but its risk factors include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Injuries
• Osteoarthritis
• Foraminal stenosis
• Pregnancy 
• Tumors
• Cysts
• Spondylolisthesis
• Wear-and-tear
• Aging
• Carrying excess weight
• Poor core strength
• Physically demanding job
• Diabetes
• Poor posture
• Lifting heavy objects
• Muscle weakness
• Physical inactivity
• Using tobacco

When left untreated, sciatica can sometimes lead to permanent nerve damage. Visit Desert Pain Specialists at the first sign of a problem. 

How is sciatic pain diagnosed?

The Desert Pain Specialists team completes a physical exam and reviews your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have sciatic pain. They may order lab work, nerve tests, X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, or other imaging procedures to diagnose your condition and establish the most appropriate treatment. 

How is sciatic pain treated?

Your personalized sciatica treatment plan may consist of one or more of the following:

• Ice or heat packs
• Healthy lifestyle habit changes
• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Spinal injections
• Biofeedback
• Massage
• Spinal adjustments
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Spinal decompression

It’s also helpful to stay physically active, eat nutritious foods, maintain a healthy weight, have good posture, use proper techniques when lifting heavy objects, and avoid smoking. 

Your pain specialist follows up to ensure long-lasting relief. They alter your treatment plan if needed, and may combine more than one solution to maximize your outcome.

Schedule a sciatic pain evaluation at Desert Pain Specialists by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.