Sciatica

Sciatica is a nerve condition that causes radiating lower back pain. The highly skilled team at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, takes a patient-centered approach to treating sciatica, offering both conservative and surgical treatment options to relieve pain. Call the office nearest you or schedule your sciatica consultation online today.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a nerve pain condition that involves the sciatic nerve. 

Your sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body, made up of five nerve roots. The nerve roots exit from the lumbar and sacral spine, come together in your buttocks, and travel down the back of your leg on both sides of your body.

Any pain you feel along the path of the sciatic nerve is sciatica. This pain usually occurs from irritation of the nerve, usually at the nerve root where it exits the spine from a herniated disc or bone spurs.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms vary. Some people have sharp jolts of pain, while others feel a burning or stabbing sensation. The pain may come and go. Though sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain, the pain is more severe in the leg. 

You may notice your pain worsens when you sit or stand for long periods of time or when you cough or sneeze. 

Depending on the cause, sciatica symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually over time.

When should I seek medical care for sciatica?

Though sciatica usually resolves within a few weeks, you should seek medical care if your symptoms fail to improve with at-home care. 

The team at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida takes a patient-centered approach, conducting thorough evaluations to find the cause of your sciatica so they can create the best treatment plan.

Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical and neurological exam. They may also order imaging studies of your spine to confirm or rule out the cause of your pain. 

What are the treatments for sciatica?

The Brain and Spine Center of South Florida is a full-service practice, providing all the treatments you need for your sciatica. Your treatment plan may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Muscle relaxants
• Physical therapy
• Spinal injections

If conservative care fails to relieve your sciatica, the team at the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida may recommend spine surgery. They use the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques so you get the best outcomes.

For comprehensive sciatica care, call the Brain and Spine Center of South Florida or schedule an appointment online today.