Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the result of compression on the sciatic nerve, a long nerve that runs from the lower back, through each buttock, and down the back of each leg. 

The sciatic nerve’s root is in the lumbar spine, which is the portion in your lower back. Many different conditions originating in the spine can cause the compression leading to sciatica. 

Compression on the sciatic nerve root causes telltale sciatica symptoms that radiate down the nerve itself. Symptoms include:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness

With sciatica, symptoms tend to appear on just one side of your body and can fluctuate based on your position or posture. For example, they might flare up when you sit down, stand up, bend forward, or twist your back. 

Not all radiating numbness, tingling, or pain in the leg is sciatica. To find out if it is and what’s causing your symptoms, you should visit Doctors United for a comprehensive evaluation. 

What causes sciatica?

Many different conditions and injuries of the lower back can result in sciatic nerve pain. Sciatica itself is not a diagnosis, but rather an indication of an underlying condition that might require medical care. A few of the most common causes of sciatica are:

• Slipped or herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis 
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac joint problems
• Osteoarthritis
• A traumatic back injury

In highly severe cases, sciatica can also come with bowel or bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, or worsening muscle weakness in one or both legs. You should seek medical care right away if any of these occur, especially if you also have a fever or loss of appetite. 

How is sciatica treated?

Sciatica treatments aim to control symptoms and improve your mobility. Self-care can make a major positive difference, including the use of ice or heat packs, over-the-counter medications for pain, and gentle stretching and exercises. 

If your sciatica is particularly severe or outlasts any attempts with home care, Doctors United offers conservative and surgical treatments for the underlying issue. It has chiropractors and orthopedists on staff to conduct and coordinate your care for sciatica.

Your first course of treatment involves non-surgical care and may include physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal injections, and prescription medications. 

Surgery is rarely necessary for sciatica but may be an option if other treatments have not provided relief or if your symptoms cause significant impairment. Depending on the cause of your sciatica, Doctors United might recommend surgical procedures like microdiscectomy or laminectomy.   

If you have sciatica that doesn’t respond to a few days of self-care, call the nearest Doctors United office or book your visit online today.