Sciatica is a type of lower back pain that affects the sciatic nerve running from your spine into your legs. This pain starts in the lower back and spreads into the buttocks and thighs, and it can potentially run all the way down to your feet.
When you have sciatica pain, it can be difficult to remain seated, stand up, or move around. Some cases of sciatica only last for a few hours. Others last for days or recur frequently, making life more challenging and painful.
Different methods can be used to treat sciatica. In some cases, physical therapy can help reduce sciatica pain and prevent it from developing again. In other cases, interventional procedures or orthopedic surgery may be necessary to treat the cause of sciatica. But, before you can get treatment, you need to know if your back pain is caused by sciatica or something else.
Symptoms of sciatica
Learning the symptoms of sciatica can help you decide if you need to visit a physical therapist for treatment. Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Burning or stinging pain in the lower back
- Pain that radiates from the lower back into one of your legs (it rarely affects both legs)
- Pain that gets worse while sitting or trying to stand
- Tingling and numbness in the legs or feet
- Weakness in the legs
If you notice any of these symptoms in your body, you should seek treatment from a medical professional. Be sure to let your doctor know if there are other symptoms as well, so you can receive an accurate diagnosis.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute for sciatica treatment
Often, sciatica pain can be treated with conservative methods like physical therapy or chiropractic care. However, if these methods don’t work or if the cause of your sciatica is more serious, you may need other treatments.
At the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute, our orthopedic specialists can perform minimally invasive interventional procedures and surgeries to treat the underlying causes of sciatica. These procedures can provide long term pain relief and improve the range of motion of your back. Contact us today to learn more about sciatica treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
