Orlando Sciatica Specialists

Are you experiencing chronic pain, numbness, or tingling in your lower back, hips, and legs? You could be suffering from sciatica. Sciatica is a common medical condition that affects millions of people globally and can cause great discomfort if left untreated. Fortunately, there is hope! Our interventional pain specialists have the experience, education, and resources to effectively diagnose and treat this condition to help improve your quality of life.

What Is Sciatica and What Are the Symptoms?

Sciatica is a medical condition characterized by pain, numbness, and tingling that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve in the lower back and down the leg. The pain can vary in intensity; however, most people describe it as burning or searing. Common symptoms associated with this condition include low back pain, buttock or thigh pain that worsens when sitting or standing for long periods, tingling or numbness down the leg and calf muscles, cramping or symptom flare-ups during exercise, and difficulty standing up from a seated position. To reduce the chances of developing sciatica, individuals should be cognizant of their posture while standing and sitting; consistently perform exercises designed to strengthen core muscles; stay hydrated; attend regular chiropractic checkups; practice stretching exercises regularly to maintain muscle length along with flexibility; take breaks often when sitting for long amounts of time; use proper lifting form when carrying heavy objects; get plenty of restful sleep each night; keep stress levels in check.

What Causes Sciatica Nerve Pain and How Can It Be Treated?

Sciatica nerve pain is commonly caused by a herniated or slipped disc between the vertebrae in the lumbar spine. The discs are unable to absorb shock and their position can put additional stress on nerves, causing them to become inflamed and painful. Low back injuries, such as muscle sprains, fractures, or traumatic accidents can also cause sciatic pain. Other conditions like obesity, pregnancy, and arthritis may contribute to sciatica too as they reduce flexibility in the low back and contribute to the compression of nerves. Additionally, individuals with a history of diabetes often experience more severe forms of sciatica. Regardless of what the root cause may be, it is important to seek professional medical help if you are experiencing radiating pain from your lower back along one or both legs.

Sciatica Pain Treatment

Sciatica pain is one of the most common neuropathic pains out there, causing a burning or shooting sensation throughout the lower back. Thankfully, there are many treatments available for those suffering from sciatica pain. Medicines such as neuropathic medications work to reduce the severity of pain and provide relief from discomfort, while physical therapy options such as trigger point injections (TPI), epidural steroid injections (ESI), and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) focus on alleviating affected areas that contribute to sciatica symptoms. All of these sciatica pain treatments can help reduce inflammation and improve nerve function, providing both short and long-term relief to those facing this issue.

Neuropathic Pain Medications

Sciatica is a condition that results in extreme physical pain due to compression of the sciatic nerve. Neuroscience research has identified neuropathic pain medications as one proven form of treatment for sciatica. These medicines work by targeting specific neurons related to pain, providing relief from symptoms such as burning or tingling. While neuropathic pain medications come with potential side effects, recent studies show that those using them may experience significant reductions in acute sciatica-related pains within just a few weeks of beginning treatment. These medications provide a valuable option for treating this disorder and greatly improve the quality of life for those who suffer from sciatica-related pain or discomfort.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a crucial part of treating sciatica, a disorder that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back and legs. Through physical therapy, patients can find relief from the common symptoms of sciatica while building strength to better manage the condition. By performing targeted exercises suggested by their physical therapist, patients can improve their overall mobility and decrease the impact of their sciatica. Developed through targeted assessments specific to the individual’s needs and abilities, a custom physical therapy program can be tailored to provide long-term relief while reducing physical limitations associated with the condition.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Epidural steroid injections can be a valuable treatment option for sciatica, providing both short and long-term relief. These injections are typically created with a combination of corticosteroid and local anesthetic medications that are injected into the epidural space around the affected spinal nerve root. These can lead to diminished inflammation and decreased pressure on nerves by reducing swelling in the area, providing great pain relief that can prevent further damage from occurring in the process. This non-surgical technique has been proven to be a safe and effective solution for many individuals suffering from sciatica. Talk to your doctor about whether epidural steroid injections may be a helpful course of action for you today.

Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections offer those suffering from sciatic nerve pain an exciting form of treatment, providing fast and effective relief without the need for surgery. These injections use a combination of local anesthetics and corticosteroids to target tender points in the muscle that can cause referred pain along the sciatic nerve. After just one or two trigger point injections, patients may report almost immediate relief from their back and leg pain, as well as an improved range of motion in those affected areas. This minimally invasive alternative to traditional treatments provides long-lasting relief from sciatica and can help patients get back to normal activities quickly.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is an exciting new medical treatment for those who suffer from sciatica nerve pain. It offers a unique solution to an issue that has been resistant to other forms of treatment, is a minimally invasive spine procedure, and has relatively few side effects. The success rate is high, as this pulsed electrical current helps to block the nerves that cause pain in the lower back or legs and can provide significant ongoing sciatic pain relief. Patients report being able to live more active lifestyles again after undergoing this revolutionary therapy. With advancements like spinal cord stimulation, diseases like sciatica that were once considered untreatable can have successful outcomes.

Risks Involved with Interventional Pain Management

While interventional techniques are generally considered safe when performed by a pain medicine specialist, there are still some risks involved with any type of medical procedure. These risks include infection at the injection site as well as potential side effects such as headaches and nausea following the procedure. You must discuss any possible risks associated with your specific procedure before undergoing treatment so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s right for you.

How Can You Prevent Sciatic Nerve Pain From Occurring in the First Place?

The best way to prevent sciatica is to stay active and exercise regularly. Strengthening the muscles in your lower back, legs, and core can help keep excess pressure off of the sciatic nerve, improving any pain or discomfort you may be feeling throughout the day. Additionally, making sure that you lift weights properly and maintain proper posture when sitting or standing can reduce a great deal of stress on the spine and prevent damage. Practicing yoga or stretching exercises can also be beneficial by increasing flexibility throughout your body which will ultimately help ease the tension around the affected area. However, it is always best to consult with a doctor before beginning any physical activity or exercise routines.

Summary

Sciatica is a condition that can cause great pain and discomfort. However, there are treatments available that can help ease the symptoms. If you think you may be suffering from sciatica, it is important to see a doctor so they can properly diagnose and treat the condition. There are also things you can do to prevent sciatica from happening in the first place, such as maintaining good posture and exercising regularly. We have over 25 years of experience and look forward to relieving your pain and improving your quality of life.