Sciatica

Sciatica Treatment

When the sciatic nerve ─ which runs from your lower back, through your buttocks, and down each leg ─ is pinched, it can cause pain, muscle weakness, tingling sensations, and affect balance and dexterity, which makes it hard to bend and pick up things.

At Pain Care, LLC, we have physicians with board certifications in pain management, physical medicine & rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and addiction medicine. Our team is dedicated to pinpointing and treating the underlying cause of sciatica and its associated symptoms.

We evaluate every patient thoroughly to get a detailed history and trace the onset of pain so we can treat the patient, not just their diagnostic images. In addition, our team carefully considers each patient’s personal goals and lifestyle to make well-informed treatment recommendations ─ making every effort to delay or prevent major spine surgery, which can be risky with a long recovery.

To schedule a consultation with one of our specialists ─ Dr. Vincent Galan, Dr. Paul Chang, Dr. Christopher Andriano, Dr. Mitchell Donner, or Dr. Clinton Wilkinson ─ please call one of our six Georgia locations:

New patients may also schedule an appointment at the following link: https://phreesia.me/PainCare

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica is a group of symptoms that can occur when the sciatic nerve is pinched.

The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or slipped disc in the spine. The out-of-place disc can pressure the sciatic nerve, causing pain, muscle weakness, tingling sensations, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Sciatica Causes & Symptoms

Several underlying issues may trigger sciatic nerve pain:

• Aging
• Bone spurs or thickening ligaments
• Disc rupture or degeneration
• Heavy lifting
• Muscle spasm
• Twisting suddenly
• Other trauma
  
  

Common symptoms of sciatica:

• Shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakening that travels from the lower back down the leg
• It may feel worse sitting, trying to stand up, bending forward, twisting, lying down, or coughing
• Sciatica typically affects one leg, with a feeling of heaviness
  
  

Diagnosing the Source of Sciatica Pain

Most patients come to us after suffering from chronic, multifactorial pain. Our diagnostic process is thorough:

• Detailed patient history
• Physical examination
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal detailed images of internal structures
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves.
  
  

Imaging studies are used to corroborate the initial diagnosis. We make sure to weigh the complete picture so that we are treating the patient and not just what shows up in their MRI.

Differentiated Treatment Based on Symptoms

Sciatica is generally a combination of things. It’s important to address the most acute issues first.

There is an algorithm based on symptoms that we use to differentiate the origin of pain that is radiating down the leg.

• Is the pain coming from a pinched nerve?
•  Is it facet joint disease, which causes arthritis in the joints that allow the spine to turn or bend?
• Is it spinal stenosis, which happens when spaces in the spine narrow and creates pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots?
  
  

Once we pinpoint and address the worst symptoms, we can treat other related problems.

Comprehensive Sciatica Treatment

Our approach to treating a pinched sciatic nerve is comprehensive and customized to suit each patient’s diagnosis and goals.

Depending on the patient, our course of action might include the following:

• Icing the area
• Targeted stretching
• Anti-inflammatory medications
  
  

We also offer minimally invasive options for more intense sciatic nerve issues:

• Epidural steroid injections – Injecting cortisone and a numbing agent into a precise area of the spine can help alleviate sciatic nerve pain. 
• Dekompressor discectomy – Removing a portion of a herniated disc may relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduce symptoms.
  
  

Sciatica Treatment in Georgia

Less than ten percent of patients with back pain need surgery. Patients come to Pain Care, LLC for our ability to diagnose and differentiate the source of chronic pain. Our board-certified physicians ─ Dr. Vincent Galan, Dr. Paul Chang, Dr. Christopher Andriano , Dr. Mitchell Donner, or Dr. Clinton Wilkinson─ specialize in noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments that can often delay or prevent the need for major back surgery. Our progressive approach works with you to restore function so you can get back to the life you want to live.

To schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, please call one of our six Georgia locations:

New patients may also schedule an appointment at the following link: https://phreesia.me/PainCare