If you’re one of the 40% of people that suffer from sciatica at least once in their lifetime, Jose De La Torre, MD, can provide relief. Based in Wesley Chapel, Florida, Dr. De La Torre at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine brings his extensive experience as a pain management specialist and sports medicine physician to diagnosing and treating numerous pain conditions, including sciatica. Don’t ignore your sciatica symptoms; if you live in the North Tampa, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, and Zephyrhills areas, call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today.
Sciatica is a condition describing a collection of symptoms that occur when you have an inflamed sciatic nerve. Your sciatic nerve connects your leg muscles and foot to your spinal cord. It begins on the lower side of your spine, through your buttock, and down your leg where it ends in your foot.
When you have an inflamed sciatic nerve it triggers a variety of symptoms, including pain, tingling, and numbness. This problem is usually simple to diagnose because sciatica discomfort radiates in sharp, burning, or electrical jolts along your sciatic nerve, following the nerve from your lower back into your buttock and down into your leg.
Sciatica symptoms also only affect one side of your body, ranging in severity from mild to intense. In most cases, sitting for prolonged periods, coughing, or sneezing can make your symptoms worse.
Ignoring sciatica symptoms can lead to irreversible nerve damage.
You can develop sciatic nerve inflammation for several reasons, but the most common causes include herniated discs and bone spurs. Each of these conditions can pinch or constrict your sciatic nerve, triggering irritation.
Several factors can increase your chances of developing sciatica, such as:
You can also have higher rates of sciatica if you have an occupation that involves heavy lifting, twisting your back, or long periods of driving.
Dr. De La Torre develops a personalized sciatica treatment strategy after performing a comprehensive physical exam to identify the cause of your sciatic nerve inflammation. Based on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms, Dr. De La Torre might recommend therapies such as:
Dr. De La Torre might also suggest physical therapy that uses special exercises and stretching to improve your back health.
To find relief from sciatica symptoms, call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today.