Sciatica: Treatment, Symptoms: Radiating Pain

Sciatica: Treatment, Symptoms: Radiating Pain

Pain radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back.

Sciatica is usually caused when a herniated disk or bone spur in the spine presses on the nerve.

Pain originates in the spine and radiates down the back of the leg. Sciatica typically affects only one side of the body.

Facts: Very common

• 3 million + US cases per year

• Treatable by a medical professional

• Usually self-diagnosable

• Lab tests or imaging rarely required

• Medium-term: resolves within months

• Medication for pain and physical therapy are common treatments.

Sciatica Symptoms:

Pain areas:

in the back, buttocks, hip, or lower extremities

Pain types:

can be mild, severe, radiating, or sharp

Pain circumstances: can occur due to injury or while sitting

Muscular:

difficulty walking or muscle weakness

Sensory: leg numbness or pins and needles

Also common: burning sensation, foot numbness, or weakness

Treatment:

Supportive care

Ice packs and Monitoring for changes or improvement

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Analgesic, Muscle relaxant, Steroid, and Nerve pain medication

Therapies

Pain Management treatment techniques, Stretching, Massage, and Acupuncture

Medical procedure

Epidural steroid injections help relieve low back pain and leg pain (sciatica) and help a patient progress with rehab and exercise.

It’s common to injure your back and develop symptoms of sciatica. If you do, talk to your health care provider. Most people heal without surgery. If you need to find a pain management doctor in New York to help evaluate and treat your back pain, Pain & Injury Doctors can help.