Sciatica in Boston
If you feel electric shocks in your low back and into your legs, you may have a condition known as sciatica. The board-certified pain management specialists at Boston Advanced Medicine offer customized solutions for treating sciatica pain and improving your overall functioning. Learn more about options for alleviating sciatica pain by calling our office today.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
The sciatic nerve travels from your lower back, into your hips and buttocks, and down into your legs. When pressure is put on this nerve, inflammation and pain can develop in any area along the nerve’s pathway, a condition known as sciatica.
Pressure on the sciatic nerve often results due to bone spurs or a herniated disc. Spinal stenosis, or a narrowing of the spine, is also a common cause of sciatica that occurs with aging or due to a degenerative condition.
You may be at increased risk for developing chronic sciatica pain if you’re overweight, have diabetes, or work at a job that requires a lot of twisting or carrying heavy objects.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica pain typically occurs in your lower back and radiates down into your legs, often on just one side of your body.
Some people may experience mild twinges of pain with movement, while others might feel an electric shock-like sensation, especially during sudden movements like a cough or sneeze.
While the pain of sciatica can vary from person to person, chronic pain of this condition can be debilitating. In severe cases, you may also experience weakness in your legs or changes in your bladder or bowel functioning.
What treatments are available for sciatica?
After a careful review of your symptoms and medical history, the Boston Advanced Medicine team determines what type of treatment will address your sciatica pain.
Initially, treatment may include therapy with over-the-counter or prescription medications. You may also benefit from physical therapy exercises that strengthen the back and leg muscles and enhance your flexibility. It’s also important that you continue to stay active to maintain a healthy weight.
If these treatments aren’t enough to alleviate your pain or limited functionality, your Boston Advanced Medicine physician can provide epidural steroid injections that reduce inflammation and pain in your sciatic nerve.
Surgery may be necessary for severe sciatica, especially if you have chronic weakness or lose control of your bladder or bowels.
If you struggle with the jolting pain of sciatica, schedule a consultation today by calling our office.
