Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is among the most common types of back pain suffered by adults in this country. According to Harvard Health, up to 40% of Americans will experience sciatica in their lifetime. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It starts at each side of your lower spine and runs through the buttock into the back of the thigh and all the way down to your foot.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Symptoms vary widely in intensity. Sciatic pain can range from a dull ache to a stabbing, even debilitating sensation. It usually begins in the lower back and radiates down the buttock and one, and in rare cases, both legs. Many patients describe the pain as feeling like a tingling sensation, numbness, or muscle weakness. Often, the pain intensifies after long periods of sitting.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica can occur for many reasons, including general wear and tear, or a sudden movement like lifting or twisting that puts pressure on a disc. Other causes are: bone spurs on the spine, a herniated disc, or a narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). These conditions compress part of the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain. Being overweight can increase your chances of developing sciatica.

How is sciatica treated?

Sciatica can be extremely painful but fortunately, it’s also very treatable. At the Magnolia Medical Group, our doctors begin with a thorough examination that may include X-ray or other imaging procedures, as well as, a discussion of your symptoms. From here, an individual treatment plan is created that may include one or more of the following:

• Ice therapy
  
• Ultrasound therapy
  
• Spinal manipulation/adjustments
  
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
  

Your team at Magnolia Medical Group can also provide special muscle-strengthening exercise once your pain is relieved to decrease the likelihood of your sciatica recurring.