4 Signs It's Time to Seek Help for  Sciatica From a Pain Specialist

Getting in and out of bed, picking up your child, even opening a door — these simple, everyday movements have become near impossible because of sciatica. 

Sciatica, which affects up to 40% of people at some point during their lives, doesn’t have to be some sort of rite of passage that you must grit your teeth and endure. There is an easier way.

Here at Apex Pain Specialists, both Dr. Naveen Reddy and Dr. Maziar Massrour are board-certified pain management experts who specialize in painful low back conditions like sciatica.

Below, we take a look at sciatica and some of the signs that indicate that you may very much benefit from our expertise in pain management.

The road to sciatica

One of the reasons why sciatica is so hard to ignore is that it involves the largest nerve in your body, your sciatic nerve, which is about the width of a penny at its thickest point. 

This nerve is made up of five nerve roots in your lower back that come together to form a large bundle. From your lower back, your sciatic nerve travels down the back of each buttock and into the backs of both of your legs, all the way down to your feet.

With sciatica, something in your lower back is compressing this nerve, which is often a herniated disc. Besides herniated discs, other conditions that can lead to sciatica include:

• Spinal stenosis
• Arthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy
• Degenerative disc disease (DDD)

Now let’s get into some signs that indicate it’s time to come see us for your sciatica.

Getting help for sciatica

There are many reasons why paying us a visit when you have sciatica is a good idea.  

1. Low back pain

Sciatica can lead to a considerable amount of pain due to nerve compression in your lumbar spine.  Depending upon the extent of the nerve compression, you might feel constant low back and/or lower extremity pain or sharp-like pain with certain movements.

2. Numbness and tingling in your buttocks and leg

Another common issue with sciatica is uncomfortable sensations on one side of your buttocks and in one leg. In most cases, the sensations come in the form of numbness and/or tingling.

3. Weakness in your foot

If your sciatic nerve is really compressed, you might experience weakness in your foot — it may  just drop and flop when you walk.

4. Losing sleep

Often, lying flat on a bed can aggravate sciatica. So, if you’re losing sleep because of this condition, it’s time to get help.

Finding relief from sciatica

When you come to see sciatica specialists like our team at Apex Pain Specialists, you’re rewarded with quick relief from your symptoms. We have several treatment options for sciatica, including:

• Epidural steroid injections

Other treatment options for similar symptoms may include:

• Medications
• Piriformis injection
• Sacroiliac joint injection

We can also recommend some great at-home management strategies for sciatica, such as hot and cold therapies, as well as exercises and stretches that can help release the nerve.

So, if you would prefer to not let sciatica take over your life, it’s a good idea to come see us at the first signs of trouble. To get the ball rolling, please call our office in Chandler, Arizona, at 480-820-7246 or book an appointment online today.