Back Pain Shooting Down the Leg: Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica can be a major pain, causing tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness in your back and legs. It stems from the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in your body, so it’s no wonder it has potential for severe impact. For some patients, sciatic nerve pain is irritating but bearable, whereas for others, it’s debilitating. The good news is, it’s actually simple to treat and rarely requires surgical intervention. If you’re wondering whether to see a sciatica doctor, take a look at these common symptoms.

• Pain on one side of the buttock that is worse when sitting.
• Pain in one leg that is worse when sitting.
• Tingling or burning sensation down one leg.
• Weakness or numbness in your leg or foot.
• Difficulty moving your leg or foot.
• Constant pain on one side of your buttock.
• Sharp pain when standing or walking.
• Pain radiating down leg into feet or toes.

What Causes Sciatica? A Sciatica Doctor in NYC Explains

The sciatic nerve travels down the lower back, hips, buttocks, and back of the legs, into the feet. Since the sciatic nerve path exits the spinal cord as several nerve roots which join to form the sciatic nerve, it can affect just one side of the body, or occasionally, both. The symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of compression on the nerve.

If you’re wondering what triggers sciatica, there are multiple causes. The symptoms stem from pressure or aggravation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Herniated discs or spinal stenosis are often the culprits, but spinal injuries, degenerative disc disease, or even wear and tear over time can cause nerve compression that triggers sciatic pain. In addition, the sciatic nerve can be irritated by injury, infection, or internal bleeding, as well as pressure from adjacent things like bones, tumors, or muscles.

Sciatica left side pain and sciatica right side pain can occur, as can pain on both sides. But as you can see, the cause can be quite different. Severe sciatica and mild sciatica both cause lower back pain, but treatment for sciatica depends on the cause. That’s why it’s so important to visit a sciatica specialist at Pain Treatment Specialists in NYC to get a proper diagnosis.

Pain Treatment Specialists: Top Sciatica Treatment in NYC

Since the cause and severity of sciatica varies greatly, it’s important to seek the expertise of a pain management specialist. While some doctors recommend sciatic nerve surgery or narcotic medication for sciatica, the nerve pain in your lower back is often resolved without the need for either one. Herniated discs are a common example of sciatic pain that is relieved with simple techniques like rest and ice/heat therapy. The best sciatica doctors in NYC at Pain Treatment Specialists know that less invasive treatment is effective at relieving sciatic pain. Here are a few gentle ways our doctors relieve sciatic pain.

• Self Care– If your sciatica pain stems from a herniated disc, often the pain will abate within days and dissolve completely within weeks by limiting strenuous activity, using heat/ice therapy, and taking safe over-the-counter medications.
• Anti-Inflammatories– Sometimes our doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib to reduce inflammation.
• Pain Reduction– Analgesics like acetaminophen help alleviate pain for mild sciatica, although they don’t reduce inflammation, so NSAIDs are often more effective for profound cases.
• Muscle Relaxants– Methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine, and carisoprodol alleviate sciatic pain triggered by uncontrolled muscle spasms.
• Steroids– Oral steroid medication or injections can be used to target a herniated disc with severe pain. Since they reduce swelling and inflammation at the site, the relief is swift and lasting. Injections are performed under fluoroscopy with analgesic numbing agents to target the epidural space of the spine and deliver rapid relief.