Should I Consider Visiting a Sciatica Pain Doctor near Me in Paramus?

Not sure if you should visit a sciatica pain doctor? The Harvard-trained doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists are here to help you understand if the type of pain you are experiencing is linked to the sciatic nerve.

The following questions are part of the preliminary conversations our doctors often have with their patients. By asking yourself these questions as well, you can determine if it’s time to schedule an appointment with a sciatica pain doctor as soon as possible.

Q1: For how long have you been feeling this pain?

Sciatica pain can be either acute, which is a type of pain that goes away in a very short time, or chronic, which means it may be time to contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Acute sciatica pain is not usually intense, with most patients reporting mild to moderate pain. It can typically be kept under control with some painkillers. If your pain persists for more than 5-7 days and continues to grow in intensity, affecting your daily life, it is a clear sign there is a much serious issue going on. It may be a herniated disk, an injury that needs attention, or a more server condition, but the only way to determine for sure is by visiting a doctor

Q2: Did the pain start extending to your lower body?

Sciatica pain starts out as a pain in the lower back, but this pain can often extend to your buttocks, hips, legs, and feet. The location of the pain is determined by the area of the sciatic nerve that is irritated and the condition you may be suffering from.

Oftentimes, sciatica pain is caused by a herniated disk. The sooner the doctor is able to find the slipped disk, the faster they can prescribe treatment. If you don’t deal with the herniated disk in time, surgery may be the only option to alleviate pain. However, if the condition is discovered on time, the physician can create a customized treatment plan that includes minimally invasive procedures.

Q3: Is the pain accompanied by other symptoms?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body and spreads from the lower spine down each of your hips, buttocks, and legs. This is why you feel the pain going down your lower limbs. However, if the pain is associated with other symptoms, it may be a sign you are dealing with a more serious condition.

If nerve pain is accompanied by weakness or numbness in your legs, a pins and needles sensation in your feet, or incontinence, you need to schedule an appointment with a sciatica specialist as soon as possible. Nerve pain that that is left unattended can lead to severe damage, causing disability. The best way to prevent this from happening is by addressing the pain before it gets worse. 

Q4: Did you recently suffer a minor accident?

Another common reason why people experience sciatic pain is that they suffered a minor incident that irritated the sciatic nerve. It can be a slip and fall, it can be due to lifting weights, gardening, or being in a minor car accident, but if the pain does not go away, it’s time to call your back doctor.

If you feel the pain is too minor to require a doctor’s attention right away, keep track of its intensity and evolution. Do any other symptoms appear? Does it affect your daily activities? If your condition gets worse, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your pain physician.

Q5: Have you ever experienced sciatica pain in the past?

Sciatica pain can come and go, depending on the condition that causes it. Take a herniated disk, for example. Certain activities, such as lifting heavy objects, can make the pain resurface and become more intense, while light exercises can help alleviate the pain.

The same goes for other conditions, so if you have been experiencing sciatic pain in the past and it seems to have come back now, it may be because the cause of the pain has not been identified properly.

Pain is never a good sign, so it is advised you seek medical help anytime pain starts getting in the way of your daily life. If you suspect you may be dealing with sciatica, it is time you schedule an appointment with a trained pain physician as soon as possible.

Are you looking for a sciatica pain doctor near me in Paramus? The doctors at Pain Treatment Specialists are here to help you find a minimally-invasive treatment that ensures your sciatic pain will never be a problem again. We also take phone general inquiries, so feel free to contact us with more questions at (212) 470-0435. Contact our doctors in Paramus, NJ, and schedule an appointment at our Paramus on Route 17 pain clinic, near the Paramus Park Mall.