5 Questions to Ask Your Sciatica Pain Doctor
January 20, 2021
Sciatica is a type of pain that usually appears in your lower back. It is a very distinct type of pain that happens when the sciatic nerve is injured and gets inflamed. Because the sciatic nerve starts at your spinal cord and stretches all the way through your hips and legs, pain caused by sciatica will often be felt spreading down your lower limbs as well.
It is estimated that around 40% of individuals in the world will experience sciatica at least once in their life, especially since it becomes more frequent as you get older. Major risk factors include diabetes, excessive weight, heavy lifting, and prolonged sitting.
Besides the very distinct type of nerve pain sciatica usually causes, other symptoms can also be present. These symptoms include numbness or weakness in your lower limbs, a pins and needles type of sensation in your feet, or pain that becomes increasingly worse when you move.
While some people only experience mild pain that goes away with over-the-counter pain medicine, others encounter more severe symptoms. If anti-inflammatory medication does not work, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a sciatica pain doctor.
At Pain Treatment Specialists, we are committed to helping our patients return to their normal activities as soon as possible. Our board-certified pain doctors have a lot of experience treating sciatica and helping patients recover from this condition. On your first visit, they will perform a physical examination to determine what causes your sciatica and prescribe the appropriate treatment. During your appointment, you will want to learn as much as you can about your condition to make the right decisions regarding your treatment.
Below is a list of questions that you can ask your doctor during your first appointment.
What is the root cause of my sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, but the root cause can often vary. One can experience sciatica due to a condition that affects the spine or as a result of an injury. Each of these causes requires a particular type of treatment, and sometimes even surgery.
Be sure to ask your doctor what causes your sciatica, to better understand how to prevent the pain from getting worse. Some of the most common causes of sciatica are:
- A herniated disk: when the first layer of cartilage that separates your spinal bones rips, you’re dealing with a herniated disk. This can apply pressure on your sciatic nerve and result in back and lower limb pain.
- Spinalstenosis: this is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows and can compress the spinal cord. This will also put pressure on the roost of your sciatic nerve and cause pain.
- Backinjuries: certain types of injuries to your back or hips can cause inflammation to the sciatic nerve and numbness to your lower limbs.
How much will this issue affect my life?
Sciatica often goes away fast, in about four weeks, but can last for longer if not treated in time. Pain intensity can vary from mild to severe and can sometimes go away only to reappear after a short period. This can affect your quality of life and make certain activities, such as sports, impossible to continue practicing.
Make sure to ask your doctor if the underlying cause of your sciatica will continue to gradually cause damage to the sciatic nerve or if it is only a sudden trauma that will go away. This will help you understand if you need to refrain from certain activities or make some adjustments in your daily habits.
What treatment options do I have?
Treatment for your sciatica can vary based on the underlying issue that caused the sciatic nerve to get inflamed in the first place. After discussing with you and performing a thorough examination, your pain doctor should be able to determine the most effective treatment to help you heal as soon as possible.
Common treatment options for sciatica include:
- Physicaltherapy – physical therapists can provide accurate patient care for people suffering from sciatica pain
- Anti-inflammatorymedicine – if over the counter medicine is not enough to alleviate pain, your doctor can prescribe stronger anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants.
- Steroidmedication – this has proven to be an effective short-term option to alleviate plain
- Surgery– in severe cases, the only option to treat sciatica is by performing surgery to eliminate the underlying cause of the inflammation
Besides treatment, what can I do to improve my condition?
In most cases, sciatica does not go away without proper treatment. This can include specific types of exercise, minimally invasive procedures such as steroid injections, muscle relaxants, and pain medication.
Certain activities can cause the pain to go away much faster, so make sure to ask your doctor if there is anything you can do to improve your condition and heal sooner. Your back pain doctor can recommend hoe remedies and lifestyle changes such as:
- Applying cold packs to the inflamed area: ice is known for reducing inflammation, which can decrease pain levels and take some pressure off of the sciatic nerve.
- Light exercises: exercises that strengthen your core are ideal for sciatica, but make sure not to overexert yourself. Your doctor will be able to help you decide on an exercise routine that will speed up the recovery process.
- Adjusting your sleep position: sleeping on your stomach not recommended for anyone, especially people suffering from spine issues. If you want to help your sciatic nerve heal, try sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will take some of the pressure off your spine and promote healing.
How long will it take to heal?
After performing a physical examination, your back pain doctor will be able to determine the condition that is causing your sciatica and prescribe adequate treatment. Based on your particular situation, the back doctor may also be able to tell you how soon you should expect your pain to go away.
Keep in mind that there are many factors that can influence the healing process, including:
- Overall health state– it is obvious that young, healthy people will usually heal faster
- Currentdiet – consuming nutrients helps the body heal faster than when eating processed food
- Sleeplevels – to heal, your body needs a lot of rest and sleep, so make sure to provide it
- Lifestyle– active people will heal much faster than those who lead a sedentary life
- Stresslevels – high levels of stress are known to affect the body’s healing process
If your pain is standing in the way of your daily activities, it is time to schedule an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible. Contact our pain clinic today and let Dr. George Hanna, Dr. Shane Volney, and Dr. Laura Lombardi help you get rid of pain once and for all!
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.
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.
Meet Our Team of Back Pain Specialists
All of our Pain Doctors in New Jersey are Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management
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.
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.
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.
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. George 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. 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. Michael Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen is Harvard Trained and Board Certified in Pain Management. His pain center accepts major medical insurances and Medicare.