Sciatica Nerve Pain Treatment Specialist Q&A

The back is a big source of pain for millions of people across the United States. It can flare up instantly and be reasonably short-lived (acute back pain), or surface slowly and last for months (chronic back pain). Identifying the source of some back pain can be a challenge, while others are quite easy. Sciatica is one of the easier ones to spot. Some over-the-counter medications can ease the discomfort of minor back pain, but powerful drugs or surgery may be the only option for some. Sciatica pain remedies can work fast and are quite effective, so the likelihood that a doctor’s visit will be necessary is very small. Our sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in our body, and it starts in our lower back at the lower part of the spine. Then it splits to run through both hips, the buttocks, both legs, and feet. A herniated disk in our back puts pressure on the nerves around it. You may have heard the term “pinched nerve,” which probably brings thoughts of back pain. When this happens to the sciatic nerve it causes a lot of pain. And given the sheer length of the nerve, the pain can be spread out, however, pain is usually most prominent in the backs of the legs.

Sciatica is a term given to the radiating pain that affects areas of the body that the sciatic nerve runs through, like the back, hips, and outer side of the legs. Sciatica is caused by the compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, which is commonly due to the degeneration of the disk. As we age, our spine changes and begins to degenerate and become more susceptible to herniated disks and bone spurs, which are the most common causes of sciatica. Excess body weight and obesity are common factors involved with sciatica due to the increased stress on the spine. Bad posture and carrying extra weight are the primary causes of a flare-up of sciatica. Prolonged sitting, like driving long distances for example, as well as heavy lifting, can also put pressure on the disks and lead to sciatica nerve pain.

Sciatica nerve pain is most common among those 30 to 50 years old. Because extra pounds put pressure on the spine, people who are overweight, or women who are pregnant, are more prone to a herniated disk and therefore more likely to experience sciatica nerve pain. Diabetes can be a cause of nerve damage, leading to a higher risk of developing chronic sciatica. Sciatica nerve pain is also very common among those in occupations that involve heavy lifting, sitting for very long periods of time, or occupations that require standing in one place for extended periods of time.

The majority of people who experience sciatica nerve pain can use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen to help relieve the pain as a short-term solution, and will likely get better within a few weeks without surgery. Your doctor may suggest alternating cold and hot packs every couple of days, or stretches that are also very helpful. Though tempting as it is to lie down and rest, movement and walking actually help reduce inflammation. If your sciatica nerve pain persists for more than three months, then it’s time to call your doctor as soon as possible, and surgery might be in order. If you have sciatica nerve pain, then you should reach out to our team of professionals today at Global Neuro & Spine Institute. Our triple board-certified doctors take great pride in providing patients, and their families, with the most exceptional pain management and functional medicine care they need and deserve. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from all across the Sunshine State, in Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.