If you’re one of the 40% of Americans who have sciatica pain, you can find relief at Advanced Pain Management Specialists. Located in Baytown, Texas, Jerome Carter, MD, brings the most advanced pain management techniques available to help address even the most persistent discomfort, like sciatica. To learn more about sciatica treatment, call Advanced Pain Management Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.
What is sciatica?
Your sciatic nerve runs from the bottom of each side of your spine, through your buttocks and your legs, and then ending in your foot. These nerves connect your feet and leg muscles with your spinal cord.
When you have sciatica symptoms from an inflamed nerve, it’s common to notice tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain that radiates along your sciatic nerve. Sciatica symptoms begin in your lower back before radiating into your buttock, hip, and down your leg. They affect only one side of your body and can vary from mild to severe.
Most people describe sciatica pain as sharp, burning, or like electrical jolts. Symptoms often grow worse when you sneeze, cough, or sit for long periods of time.
What causes sciatica?
Your sciatic nerve can grow inflamed for a variety of reasons, but among the most common causes are herniated discs or bone spurs in your spine. These injuries can put pressure on your sciatic nerve and cause irritation.
Additional things that can increase your chances of having sciatica include:
- Sitting for extended periods
- Having a sedentary lifestyle
- Being overweight or obese
- Living with conditions that can cause nerve damage, like diabetes
- Having occupations that include heavy lifting, twisting your back, or long periods of driving
Without treatment, you can end up with irreversible nerve damage from sciatica.
How do you treat sciatica?
Dr. Carter conducts a comprehensive physical exam to identify the precise cause of your sciatica pain. Depending on your diagnosis, they create a personalized treatment approach to help address your symptoms.
The most common sciatica treatments include:
- Hot and cold compress therapy
- Massage therapy or spinal manipulation
- Improving your posture and body mechanics
- Weight management strategies, like diet and exercise
- Steroid injections or nerve blocks
Dr. Carter could also suggest physical therapy to improve your spine health by performing special stretches and exercises.
To find relief from nerve pain like sciatica, call Advanced Pain Management Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.