Sharp, tingling, or burning pain due to sciatica can feel crippling and prevent you from enjoying your favorite activities. At Innovative Pain Specialists in Arlington Heights and Libertyville, Illinois, board-certified pain management specialists Paul Marsiglia, DO, Demetrios Louis, MD, and their team offer treatments for sciatica that alleviate discomfort. Call the nearest office to learn more or schedule an appointment online today.
Sciatica, also known as lumbosacral radiculitis or radiculopathy, is a common cause of pain in the lower back. It occurs with pressure on the sciatic nerve, which branches from the lower back down the buttocks into each leg. Sciatica may develop for a variety of reasons.
Common signs and symptoms of sciatica include:
Sciatica pain may get worse if you sneeze, cough, or sit or stand for prolonged periods. It often affects just one leg. Sciatica could lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated.
Sciatica pain can happen to anyone, but the following factors increase your risk of experiencing it:
To reduce your risk of sciatica, use proper lifting techniques, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly.
Your doctor can diagnose sciatica after checking your vital signs, discussing your symptoms and medical history, and completing a physical exam that includes a neurological exam. They may suggest you complete blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, other imaging procedures, or nerve function tests.
Common treatments for sciatica include:
Home remedies that may relieve sciatica pain include cold packs, heat packs, and targeted stretching.
Taking prescription or over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms associated with sciatica.
Steroid injections help reduce inflammation and sciatica pain associated with it.
Strength and stretching exercises with a highly trained physical therapist can relieve sciatica pain naturally and reduce the risk of future problems. Your specialist could also recommend chiropractic manipulation or acupuncture.
Innovative Pain Specialists might suggest surgery to remove a bone spur or part of a herniated disc responsible for pinched nerves if other treatments don't work. They might implant a spinal cord stimulator or use Vertiflex™ Superion to reduce spinal stenosis.
Call the Innovative Pain Specialists office for sciatica treatment, or schedule an appointment online today.
