Do You Need Help from a Sciatica Pain Doctor?

To help you better understand sciatica pain, below are 6 facts our doctors, Dr. George Hanna, Dr. Laura Lombardi, and Dr. Shane J. Volney want to share with you about this type of pain.

Not all sciatica pain is the same

According to Dr. Laura Lombardi: ‘sciatica is commonly described as pain that starts in the lower back’. Furthermore, a common symptom of sciatica can also be pain that radiates towards the lower limbs. This shows not all sciatica pain is the same, as your symptoms depend on the condition that is causing the pain.

For some, sciatica pain goes away very fast and with very little treatment. Others, however, experience excruciating pain that won’t go away with over-the-counter medicine and other home remedies.

If sciatica pain has been caused by minor irritation or damage to the sciatic nerve, the pain should pass in a few days with some painkillers and by managing the affected area. If you notice that the pain persists for more than a week, you should seek help from a board-certified sciatica pain doctor immediately.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition

Dr. George Hanna: Many people refer to sciatica pain as a standalone condition, when, in fact, it is a symptom that appears due to multiple conditions. The reason many people think sciatica is a medical diagnosis on its own is because of the very distinct type of pain you feel, which can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms. These symptoms include pain in the legs, a pins and needles sensation, pain that affects one side of the body, and numbness in your feet.

To alleviate the pain, it is necessary that you see a back doctor who can help you find out what is causing your sciatica. Once properly diagnosed, the doctor can prescribe effective treatment and a recovery plan to ensure the condition does not come back in the future.

Sciatica pain doesn’t always require surgical treatment

Many people avoid going to a pain specialist to treat their sciatica because they believe the doctor will always recommend surgery. Things could not be farther from the truth. According to Dr. Laura Lombardi, “we do everything we can so that surgery is a last resort. If all else fails, we might recommend this type of treatment, but until then, we’ll focus on minimally-invasive options’.

After finding out what causes your sciatica pain, your back doctor will usually recommend minimally invasive treatment such as epidural steroid injections that can sometimes be accompanied by physical therapy or mild painkillers. Surgery will only become an option if your condition does not improve in weeks after getting treatment. This happens rarely and is determined by the severity of your condition.

You get more prone to sciatica pain as you age

We mentioned earlier that sciatica affects 40% of us at least once. This high percentage is caused by the fact that, as we age, the risk of developing sciatica pain grows. There are many reasons why this happens, including genetics, certain medical conditions such as diabetes and vitamin B12 deficiency, as well as leading a sedentary life.

Dr. Shane J. Voley: If you want to avoid experiencing sciatica pain, you need to focus on leading an active, healthy life. Try to exercise frequently, correct your posture, and be careful how you lift heavy objects. Instead of using your back to lift heavy objects from the ground, squat and lift using your legs. This will prevent you from putting pressure on the lower spine and cause pain.

Certain activities and habits can make sciatica pain worse

Sciatica pain happens due to minor incidents, as a herniated disk, and many other reasons. But did you know poor habits can actually make the pain worse? Many things we do on a day to day basis put pressure on our lower spine and affect our health. This increases the risks of developing pain and can make sciatica symptoms worse.

• Some of these activities are:
• Prolonged seating, especially in a bad posture
• Performing physical exercises wrong
• Lifting objects improperly
• Leading a sedentary life
• Poor sleeping position
• Excess weight

Sciatica seems to be a problem especially for people who have to spend hours pinned to a chair in their office. This is why you should remember to take frequent breaks and sit up to stretch your back.

If sciatica pain is causing you trouble and you are looking for a sciatica pain near me in NJ, then schedule an appointment with our trained physicians as soon as possible. This will ensure you get to the bottom of the problem and can use accurate treatment to make the pain go away.

Come visit us at one of these 3 locations:

• in Paramus on Route 17, near the Paramus Park Mall,
• in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership,
• in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club.

If you are not able to come to our clinic right away, we are also available for phone general inquiries at (855) 480-6997 so that you can understand more about your symptoms.