6 Sciatica Myths Debunked by a Sciatica Pain Doctor

Want to better understand sciatica pain? Our doctors are here to debunk some of the most common myths that still prevail around sciatica and tell us the facts that contradict them.

MYTH 1: Sciatica is a standalone condition

Because sciatica pain is so particular, most commonly radiating from the lower back to the lower limbs, it is often referred to as a condition or a diagnosis. In fact, sciatica is a symptom that indicates something is irritating your sciatic nerve.

The challenging part is identifying what exactly is causing pressure on the nerve. In most common cases, sciatica pain happens due to a herniated disk or injury to the nerve, but this is not always the case. There are multiple conditions that can irritate the sciatic nerve, causing pain and discomfort.

Only a board-certified back doctor can accurately tell what causes the irritated or pinched nerve by doing a physical examination and narrowing down the potential options.

MYTH 2: A slipped disk is the only cause of sciatica

As we mentioned above, a slipped (herniated) disk is the most common cause to seek sciatica treatment. However, this is not the only cause of sciatica, and only a back doctor will be able to put an accurate diagnosis.

Sciatica pain can happen due to a number of conditions, including:

• lumbar degenerative disc disease
• lumbar spinal stenosis
• spondylolisthesis
• piriformis syndrome
• spinal tumors
• injuries to the back

MYTH 3: Sciatica pain goes away on its own

Many people assume all they need to do for their sciatica pain to go away is to get some rest and wait around. While it is true that, in some cases, sciatica pain can go away on its own or just by using some over-the-counter medicine, you still need to seek a professional to help with pain management.

Only a trained back pain expert will be able to determine the root cause of your problem and prescribe accurate sciatica pain treatment. If you simply wait around, hoping your pain will eventually go away, your risk exposing yourself to serious issues, such as permanent nerve damage.

MYTH 4: Sciatica can only be cured with surgical treatments

While sciatica won’t always go away on its own, you won’t end up on the surgical table either. In fact, most statistics will tell you that people often find sciatic nerve pain relief using non-surgical treatment methods.

This common myth about surgery being the best way to treat sciatica originated from the fact that surgery is a common method to treat a herniated disk. However, as we already established, this is not the only cause of sciatic nerve pain.

In some cases, sciatica pain can return after surgery. Buttock pain after laminectomy continued nerve pain after microdiscectomy, and back pain during lumbar radiculopathy surgery recovery time, are just a few situations that people complain about. If you want to avoid surgery, schedule an appointment with one of our back pain doctors and get a minimally-invasive treatment plan.

MYTH 5: A painkiller is enough to treat my sciatica

While medication can sometimes be prescribed to ease off symptoms, including pain and inflammation, a pain killer or muscle relaxant is not always enough to alleviate your pain. Using medication such as Ibuprofen or Celebrex for sciatica pain will only prove effective in the short term, ultimately leading to the pain coming back.

Sciatica symptoms include anything from mild pain to the lower back to severe pain that radiates towards the lower limbs, which is why only a trained physician can accurately tell you I you need medication, minimally invasive procedures, sciatica pain chiropractic treatment, or surgery to treat it. With moderate pain, for example, doctors can prescribe medicine and encourage patients to seek complementary treatment such as massage or chiropractor for sciatica.

MYTH 6: I am a young person, I cannot be affected by sciatica

While it is true that, as you get older, there is a higher risk of getting affected by sciatica, this is not always a rule. Sciatica can affect anyone, regardless of age. Factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, bad posture, sitting for many hours a day, or being overweight can lead to sciatica.

Sciatica is also more likely to happen during pregnancy due to the extra weight of the baby, which adds pressure to the sciatic nerve.

Common questions about sciatica our doctors frequently receive from patients

Our doctors work closely with each patient to help them overcome sciatica pain, which is why they are always open to answering questions that can clear the air around this health issue. Below are some of the questions our doctors frequently receive:

Q: Does Lyrica help sciatica pain?

A recent study has shown that Lyrica, also known as Pergabalin, is not significantly effective in reducing sciatica-related pain and does not improve the patient’s quality of life.

Q: Is it common to feel pain in buttocks after back surgery?

While some pain in the back or buttocks is expected to happen after surgery, if the pain persists long after the post-op period, it is recommended you seek professional help as soon as possible.

Q: Can constipation cause sciatica pain?

Yes, specialists have reached the conclusion that prolonged constipation can compress the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica pain.

Q: Do lidocaine patches help sciatica pain?

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that can numb sciatica pain. However, this is not a long-term type of treatment, and it is recommended to see a board-certified back pain doctor if you suspect you may suffer from sciatica.

If you are wondering what doctor to go to for sciatica pain relief, you have come to the right place. At Pain Treatment Specialists, you can find a Harvard-trained sciatica pain doctor in New Jersey, ensuring you get the treatment you need to lead a healthy life.

Come visit us at one of our conveniently-placed 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.