Sciatica, also known as nerve root pain, is one of the most common kinds of back pain. It originates from an irritated or compressed nerve on the spinal cord. This condition is quite frustrating, you need to know when to consult a sciatica doctor near me.
Sciatica: An Overview
Sciatica is the term used to describe pain spreading along the sciatic nerve’s path. The sciatic nerve traverses from the lower back to the back of the leg. The most frequent symptoms of sciatica are:
- Burning or shooting leg pain
- Tingling or numbness in the afflicted leg
- A feeling of weakness in your leg or foot
- Back pain
The irritation or compression of the nerves in the lower back is the most common cause of sciatica. Some conditions associated with nerve compression are:
- Herniated disc: a slipped, prolapsed, or herniated disc.
- Spinal stenosis: the spinal canal is narrowed due to degenerative tissue.
- Piriformis syndrome: the sciatic nerve becomes irritated as it runs below the piriformis muscle in the buttocks.
- Pregnancy: the center of gravity changes during pregnancy, and joints become more elastic. This results in nerve pain in your buttocks or legs. In some cases, the baby in the womb also puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Injury or trauma: accidents or injuries may also damage the nerves which leads to pain
Managing Sciatica on Your Own
Most cases resolve after a few days. If you are feeling sciatica symptoms, you can:
- Rest to lessen the irritation of the sciatic nerve and allow it to heal. Don’t stay in bed. It’s recommended to stand up and gently move around. Avoid movements that exacerbate the pain.
- Stretching exercises for the lower back can reduce nerve compression. Don’t twist your back. Try slow and gradual stretches.
- Apply an ice pack on the irritated area for 20 minutes a few times each day to provide some relief.
- If symptoms don’t resolve after 2 to 3 days, try using hot packs or a heating pad as an alternative.
If these home remedies don’t seem to be working, it might be time to consult a health professional.
Is It Time to Go to a Sciatica Doctor Near Me?
The primary care physician (PCP) is normally your initial point of contact upon experiencing sciatica symptoms. They will conduct an initial assessment, check your medical history, and prescribe first-line treatments. This includes lifestyle changes, physical therapy, pain relievers, or a combination of at least two of these treatments.
If conservative treatments cannot address your symptoms, the next best step is to consult a specialist.
Pain management doctors concentrate on managing chronic pain. If sciatica already greatly affects your quality of life, a pain specialist offers advanced treatment options. You may expect the following:
- Customized pain relief: the doctors on your team will propose a customized plan to effectively reduce your pain.
- Advanced treatments: pain specialists may prescribe radiofrequency ablation or injections for long-term pain relief.
Are There Sciatica Symptoms That Need Immediate Medical Attention?
Although sciatica pain can be serious and cause weakness in your legs, the symptoms usually don’t cause long-term complications. There are rare instances when you experience troubling symptoms that trigger a medical emergency.
Changes in Bladder or Bowel Control
Consult a sciatica doctor near me right away if you have unexplained changes in bladder or bowel control. Examples include:
- Unable to manage your bladder and bowel movement
- Reduced urinary sensation, difficulty in passing urine, poor stream, or reduced desire to pass urine
The above symptoms are due to a rare but severe medical condition known as cauda equina syndrome. Aside from incontinence, it may also cause:
- Sudden pain and weakness in your legs
- Numbness in your genitals, groin, buttocks, or inner thigh
- Sexual dysfunction
Delaying treatment will lead to neurological problems such as difficulty in walking and lower-body paralysis. This condition must be treated within 24-48 hours from the occurrence of symptoms to preserve lower limb function.
Worsening Neurological Symptoms
Extensive damage in the sciatic nerve roots result in progressive neurological symptoms. This needs immediate treatment. The symptoms may occur in one or both legs and usually involve the following:
- Weakness;
- Tingling;
- Numbness;
- Abnormal sensations, such as crawling; and
- Hyperalgesia or increased sensitivity to pain
These symptoms don’t need surgery, but immediate treatment is required.
Consult a Sciatica Doctor Near Me Today at the Pain Treatment Institute
Choosing which doctor to consult for sciatica depends on your symptoms and their impact on your quality of life.
If your pain has already become unbearable, book an appointment with the Pain Treatment Institute. Our medical team and staff commit to creating the best treatment plan customized for your needs. We always start with the conservative approach first before exploring the more advanced methods.
We have six clinics in North Texas from which you can choose from. Book an appointment today.
