The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and branches out toward the buttocks and legs. When the sciatic nerve is pinched, a person may feel severe pain in these regions that radiates down the legs.
In order to confirm a sciatica diagnosis, your physician may analyze your movement to determine the exact location of your pain. An x-ray may be necessary to see if any of the vertebrae in your spine are pressing into the sciatic nerve.
Causes
Sciatica may be caused when a herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. While herniated disks are the most common reason for buttock and leg pain, there are a number of other causes such as an overgrown bone or a previous injury.
Although there is no cure for sciatica, there are different treatment options available depending on the severity your pain and the condition’s progression. Anti-inflammatory medication may be prescribed to reduce pain, but if that is not enough, your physician at The Pain Center may recommend having an epidural steroid injection.
This injection goes into your spine and releases steroids to reduce inflammation and ease pain. The effects of an epidural steroid injection will not cure your sciatica, but the procedure can be repeated if the pain comes back.
In severe cases, your physician may recommend having surgery. The bone or section of the herniated disk pinching the nerve may be removed. Typically, surgery is reserved for cases where the patient’s sciatica is causing issues such as a loss of bowel control. Nevertheless, our team can discuss this option with you if it’s something you wish to pursue.
While exercise cannot cure your sciatica, exercises for sciatica may help relieve your symptoms. Strengthening areas around your spine like your core and buttocks can strengthen your body’s support system and get the pressure off the sciatic nerve. By staying active, you are increasing the blood flow to your legs and lower back, which may ease your sciatic nerve pain.
Your physician will be able to talk to you about these sciatica treatment options as well as other procedures The Pain Center offers to ease your sciatic nerve pain.
If you suffer from chronic pain due to any condition or injury, find hope at The Pain Center of Arizona! Our dedicated team of board certified pain management physicians will work with you to treat your pain, increase your functionality and quality of life, and get you back into life! We have locations locations across Arizona, including Arcadia, Deer Valley, Gilbert, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Tempe, Surprise, West Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott! We take multiple insurance plans; click here to see if we take yours! To make an appointment and take the first step toward getting back into life, call us today at 1-888-PAINCENTER. We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
