Sciatica Doctor near Me in Hackensack Answers 6 Important Questions Received from Patients

March 31, 2021

HARVARD TRAINED back PAIN DOCTORS in New jersey

Back pain is the main cause of disability worldwide, and it is one of the most important causes people have issues living their normal lives, together with neck pain. Around 10% of people dealing with low back pain have sciatica, a specific form of pain connected to the sciatic nerve. Diabetes, being overweight, heavy lifting, and sitting for long periods of time are all factors that increase the risk of developing sciatica.

In addition to the very specific type of nerve pain that sciatica normally causes, other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in your lower limb, tingling in your feet, or pain that gets worse with movement can also be present.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a sciatica doctor near you in Hackensack! Pain Treatment Specialists’ Harvard-trained physical therapists are ready to assist you in finding appropriate pain management solutions for sciatica pain. And, because we understand that dealing with pain is never easy and you may have several questions about sciatica, our doctors are here to answer them all. Continue reading to find out the answer to 6 important questions about sciatica.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Sciatica?

Sciatica pain is a symptom that can be caused by numerous conditions that put pressure on the sciatic nerve. For example, sciatica may occur as a result of a spinal disorder as well as due to an injury. The most common cause for sciatica pain, however, is a herniated disk.

Disk herniation happens when the cartilage between the spinal bones tears, which usually leads to additional pressure on the sciatic nerve and results in pain. If you want to avoid this, always remember to keep a good posture, be careful how you lift heavy objects, and try to keep an active life.

Is your sciatica pain preventing you from leading a normal life? Book an appointment with a board-certified sciatica doctor near you, in Hackensack today!

Acute sciatic pain can happen due to back injuries, which can irritate or damage the sciatic nerve. If this happens, use anti-inflammatory medicine and make sure to go to a doctor if the pain does not go away in a few days.

Will I Continue to Live a Normal Life if I Have Sciatica?

Sciatica typically goes away fast, in a few days to four weeks, but it can last longer if not treated promptly. Pain severity can range from mild to extreme, and it can disappear only to reappear after a while. In time, this can lead to chronic pain and make it difficult to continue engaging in certain activities, such as sports.

Be sure to ask the doctor whether the root cause of your sciatica will cause progressive damage to the sciatic nerve or if it is only a one-time situation that will go away. A pain specialist is the only person that can diagnose your condition and determine how it will affect your quality of life.

Do All Sciatica Patients Need Surgery?

While some people dealing with sciatica only find relief in the hands of spine surgeons, most patients dealing with sciatica manage to live a pain-free life with minimally invasive treatment, such as steroid injections, or with the use of a spinal cord stimulator.

Following a comprehensive examination and discussion with you, your pain specialist should be able to assess the most appropriate type of treatment to help you recover as quickly as possible.

Some potential options include:

  • Steroid medication– this has been shown to be an effective short-term pain relief alternative.
  • Physical therapy– for people suffering from sciatica pain, physical therapy has proven to be very effective in managing pain and preventing it from reappearing.
  • Anti-inflammatory medication– if over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective, your doctor can recommend stronger anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants.

How Long Does it Take to Get Better?

Your doctor will be able to determine what’s causing your sciatica and recommend appropriate medication after conducting a physical examination. Your back doctor may even be able to determine approximately how quickly you should expect the pain will go away, depending on the situation.

As you know, every person heals at a different pace – an aspect that can be influenced by many factors. Sciatica is less likely to affect younger people, as disk degeneration that happens with age increases the risk. At the same time, factors such as your current diet, quality of sleep, stress levels, and certain lifestyle choices can also greatly influence the healing process.

Bad habits that can aggravate sciatica pain include:

  • Sitting for multiple hours a day
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Living a sedentary life
  • Sleeping on your stomach
  • Over-exhausting yourself

How Can I Tell if I’m Dealing with Sciatica or Something Else?

As previously stated, sciatica affects only a subset of patients suffering from low back pain. Several conditions, including disc damage, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis, can cause low back pain as well. However, not all of these conditions cause sciatica pain.

Sciatica pain can be differentiated from other types of low back pain through the fact that it originates in the lower back, but it can often be felt in your buttocks, hips, and legs, or anywhere throughout the length of the sciatic nerve. Pain will occasionally be followed by numbness in the legs, as well as a tingling sensation in the feet or toes. Depending on what is causing the nerve pain, the severity of the symptoms will vary.

Are There Any Risk Factors?

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing sciatic pain and can worsen the symptoms. These factors include:

  • Age: with age, the body starts to be affected by wear and tear. After the age of 30, people become more prone to developing sciatic pain.
  • Sedentarism: sitting for multiple hours a day and not engaging in regular physical activity can increase the chances of back pain.
  • Certain health problems: conditions such as diabetes, being overweight, or vitamin B12 deficiency can leave you prone to nerve damage

If you have more questions regarding sciatic pain, or you are looking for a pain specialist in Bergen County, don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment online. Our doctors are here to help you find accurate sciatica treatment and live a pain-free life. You can find us in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club, and in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall.

Book a Consultation

Scheduling a consultation with one of our pain treatment specialists is one of the best ways to determine the proper solution for pain relief.

Book Now

Meet Our Team of Back Pain Specialists

All of our Pain Doctors in New Jersey are Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management

Dr. George Hanna - Back Pain Treatment Specialist in NJ

Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ

Dr. George Hanna

Dr. Hanna is a Harvard Trained back specialist in New Jersey and New York.  He serves as Medical Director of Pain Management.

Dr. Lombardi - Back pain treatment specialist NJ

Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ

Dr. Laura Lombardi

Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, New Jersey.

Dr. Shane Volney - Back Pain Doctor NJ

Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ

Dr. Shane Volney

Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.

Dr M Circle Thumb

Back Pain Doctor Clifton & West Orange NJ

Dr. Michael Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.

Dr. Hanna

Dr. George Hanna

Dr. Hanna is a Harvard Trained back specialist in New Jersey and New York.  He serves as Medical Director of Pain Management.
Dr. Hanna

Dr. Laura Lombardi

Dr. Lombardi is a Harvard Trained back pain treatment doctor, currently seeing patients in Clifton and West Orange, and Paramus New Jersey.

Dr. Hanna

Dr. Shane Volney

Dr. Volney is a Harvard Trained back treatment doctor seeing patients in the NJ areas of Clifton & West Orange, and in NYC.

Dr. Hanna

Dr. Michael Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.