Should You Schedule an Appointment with a Sciatica Pain Doctor in Hackensack?

February 10, 2021

HARVARD TRAINED back PAIN DOCTORS in New jersey

6 Warning Signs It’s Time to Visit a Sciatica Pain Doctor

Pain is never a good sign, no matter where it is located. It is your brain’s way of telling you there’s damage somewhere in the body, so that you know it’s time to stop pushing and allow the damage to heal. When pain is experienced in the lower part of the back, it is often due to sciatica. In fact, sciatica pain is so common that it is estimated to happen to at least 40% of us during our life.

Sciatica pain is described as a very distinct type of pain that starts in the lower back but can spread through your buttocks and legs. This is because it is a type of pain caused by something that irritates or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest nerve in the body, starting from your spine and going down through both legs. Therefore, sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnostic, as there are many conditions that can cause sciatica pain.

The intensity and duration of sciatic pain may vary from person to person, depending on factors such as age, physical condition, and the root cause of the pain. For some people, it’s enough to avoid intense physical activity for a few days and take some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine and the nerve pain will pass. Others, however, may go through excruciating pain that lasts for weeks.

Because there are so many variables to this equation, many people don’t know if their pain is a reason to go to a medical center and discuss with a pain specialist. The doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists advise you should at least discuss your symptoms with a pain physician the moment you start feeling pain in the lower back that seems to radiate towards the lower limbs. Only a trained pain doctor will be able to determine the root cause of the pain and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Sciatica pain is a common symptom that can indicate a more serious condition. We offer effective treatment for sciatica pain in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Sciatica pain may signal a more serious condition that should not be left unattended, such as lumbar spinal stenosis or degenerative disk disease. Even though these conditions occur rarely, note that the most common cause for sciatica pain is a herniated disc, which should not be left unattended for too long either.

Read on to find out when you should see a back pain specialist.

1. The pain is persisting for more than a week

There are two types of sciatica pain: chronic and acute. Acute sciatica pain is caused by minor irritation or damage to the sciatic pain. This type of pain is mild to moderate and can be controlled with over-the-counter medicine.

However, if the pain persists for more than a week, it’s time to visit a sciatica pain doctor in Hackensack as soon as possible. Persistent pain that grows in intensity or is followed by other symptoms, such as weakness in the lower limbs, is usually a sign of a more severe condition, so you should seek medical advice promptly. It is better to address the problem early on, so that you have a fast and successful recovery.

2. You feel pain starts extending to other body parts

If pain in your lower back starts expanding to your buttocks, legs, and feet, it is usually a sign that the sciatic nerve roots are seriously irritated. Only a board-certified back pain doctor will be able to perform a complete physical examination and determine what exactly causes sciatic pain.

The most common condition that causes sciatic pain is a herniated disk, which needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible. This will make it easier for your back doctor to prescribe minimally invasive treatment such as steroid injections and physical therapy. If the herniated disk is left untreated, an orthopedic surgeon may be the only one that can make the pain dissipate.

3. Back pain is accompanied by numbness or tingling

Because the sciatic nerve spreads all the way through your legs, pain can be felt at any point on the nerve. Depending on the area on which the nerve is damaged, you may feel pain in the buttocks and legs. If leg pain is associated with numbness, a pins and needles sensation, or weakness in your legs, then it may be hiding a more serious condition.

Nerve pain needs to be taken seriously, as it can lead to permanent nerve damage and disability. Make sure to schedule an appointment with a pain doctor as soon as you realize your pain is persistent, especially if the symptoms don’t seem to pass with over-the-counter medicine. 

4. You have just suffered a minor accident and pain persists

A fall, a minor car accident, an injury while working out or doing outdoor activities – these are all reasons that can cause sciatic nerve pain due to minor damage or irritation to the nerve. It is advised that you schedule an appointment with a back doctor anytime you suffer an injury, as its effects may not always be felt immediately.

If you are not able to see a back doctor right away, monitor the state of your pain. If it persists for more than a few days, grows in intensity, or extends to other body parts, schedule an appointment with a trained pain physician immediately.

5. You have experienced sciatica pain before

Sciatica pain is known to be a recurring symptom, so if you have felt this type of pain before and it seems to have come back now, it means the root cause of the issue may not have been treated.

A herniated disk, for example, can cause pain to come and go, depending on the activities you are performing. In time, the pain will get harder and harder to maintain, so make sure to check with a pain physician as soon as you can.

In many cases, sciatic pain does not go away too easily, so it is best to seek medical advice. A Harvard-trained back doctor can determine the root cause of the pain. If you are looking for a sciatica pain doctor in Hackensack, our Pain Treatment Specialists clinics are the best option. Our medical centers are committed to helping you find the proper treatment for your sciatica pain and get back to your daily activities as fast as possible.

You can find us in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall, in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, in West Orange, close to the Essex Country Club.

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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.