Sciatica describes a sharp, burning, or shooting pain that travels from your lower back into the buttock, hip, or leg. For some people, it feels like an electric shock with certain movements. You might also experience numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain that gets worse when sitting, standing, bending, or walking.
Our team at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine offers comprehensive evaluations and customized treatment for sciatica and its causes.
Our pain management physician, Jose De La Torre, MD, focuses on the least invasive therapies to protect your mobility and ease sciatica pain and other symptoms.
Your sciatic nerve is the largest in your body. It begins in the lower spine and travels through the hips and buttocks before branching off into each leg.
Sciatica happens when this nerve becomes irritated, inflamed, pinched, or compressed. In many cases, it is not a condition by itself. It is a symptom of something irritating or compressing the sciatic nerve. Though sciatica is common, it should not be ignored.
One of the most common causes is a herniated disc, a condition in which the soft inner portion of a spinal disc pushes outward and presses on nearby nerves.
Other possible causes of sciatica include
Sometimes, posture, repetitive lifting, prolonged sitting, or physical strain can trigger muscle inflammation in the lower back, worsening sciatica symptoms.
Occasional mild back or leg discomfort related to sciatica typically improves with rest and home care. However, electric shocks of lower back pain that keep coming back or persistent burning or stabbing pain that lasts for six weeks or longer may suggest an underlying spine issue.
Pain that travels below the knee, numbness in the foot, weakness in the leg, or trouble standing on your toes can also be signs that a nerve is being affected.
If you have these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine. We offer in-house imaging tests and other diagnostics to evaluate the health of your lower spine.
Ignoring nerve-related pain can sometimes lead to worsening discomfort and reduced mobility. In some cases, ongoing nerve compression is also linked to lasting muscle weakness or changes in sensation.
Sciatica can vary from person to person. Some symptoms are mild. Others can interfere with daily life.
You should consider meeting with Dr. De La Torre if you have pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medications and rest, or if you have pain that radiates down one leg, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or pain that worsens with movement.
Seek prompt medical care if you experience sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, severe weakness, or numbness in the groin area. These may be signs of a serious spinal condition, like cauda equina syndrome.
The first step in managing sciatica involves identifying the source of the problem. Dr. De La Torre reviews your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and physical function. He may recommend a CT scan or other diagnostic imaging when needed.
Once he understands the cause of sciatica, Dr. De La Torre personalizes a treatment plan for you that may include:
The goal is to reduce pain and improve function in the lower back, hips, and legs. These treatments can also prevent persistent symptoms from coming back.
Sciatica can be frustrating, especially when it interrupts work, exercise, sleep, or simple day-to-day tasks. The good news is that interventional treatment options are available.
If your sciatic nerve pain is ongoing or severe, it may be a sign of a deeper issue in your spine or nerves. A proper diagnosis is critical to understanding what’s causing your pain and what can be done about it.
Call our team at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to schedule an evaluation and discuss sciatica treatment options. You can also book your appointment online.
