Sciatica Treatment Phoenix

Relief for Sciatic Nerve Pain in Phoenix: Treatment Options That Work

Anyone who has experienced sciatica before will instantly recognize it again. The zinging pain along the sciatic nerve can range from mild to severe, and at its worst can cause excruciating pain in the low back, buttock, back of the leg, or possibly all the way into the calf.

The good news is that with proper treatment, sciatica usually resolves within a few weeks and only rarely requires surgery.

SCIATICA PAIN VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON, BUT USUALLY ONLY AFFECTS ONE LEG OR THE OTHER. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A MILD ACHE, BURNING SENSATION, OR JOLTS SIMILAR TO A MILD ELECTRIC SHOCK. FOR SOME PEOPLE, SCIATIC PAIN CAN BE EXCRUCIATING. IT MAY ALSO BE ACCOMPANIED BY NUMBNESS, TINGLING OR MUSCLE WEAKNESS IN THE AFFECTED LEG.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, running through the lower back, hips, and legs.

Sciatica is usually caused by:

Herniated discs (most common): Bulging or ruptured discs put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine): As the spinal canal narrows, it compresses the roots of the sciatic nerve.
Bone spurs: These compress the roots of the sciatic nerve causing pain.
Degenerative disc disease: The wear and tear of spinal discs due to age can compress nerves, leading to pain.
Spondylolisthesis: Vertebrae slip and this can compress the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.

When to See a Sciatica Doctor (Orthopaedic Spine Specialist)

Mild sciatica often resolves on its own,
but you should see a doctor soon for sciatica treatment in AZ if your sciatica:

is severe
lasts longer than a week
gets progressively worse
develops suddenly after a traumatic injury, such as a car accident
causes weakness in the leg or foot
affects bowel or bladder function

Sciatica that causes weakness in the leg or foot or that affects bowel or bladder function should be IMMEDIATELY assessed by a spine specialist.

Common Non-Surgical Treatments for Sciatica Pain

Sciatica pain treatment is possible. In fact, most sciatica that doesn’t resolve on its own can be treated with one of many non-surgical interventions, including:

Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve can help improve the alignment of your spine while also decreasing compression on the sciatic nerve.
Pain management & medication management: From taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen to using ice and heat therapy, there are a number of ways to reduce pain associated with sciatica.
Epidural Steroid Injections: Steroid injections administered by a doctor may help reduce inflammation around the sciatic nerve for longer periods of time than over the counter medications.
Lifestyle Changes: Losing weight, correcting posture, avoiding prolonged sitting, and other lifestyle modifications can significantly decrease sciatica pain.
Complementary Care Methods: From massages to chiropractic care and acupuncture, several complementary care methods may help reduce sciatica pain. These should not be considered standalone treatments, however.

Sciatica Surgery

Dr. Baig will only perform spine surgery for sciatica if it is truly necessary and if he is confident the surgery will effectively relieve your sciatic pain and symptoms. Dr. Baig may perform a lumbar laminectomy, removing the portion of bone in the vertebrae that is compressing the sciatic nerve.

Other surgical options may include microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, or endoscopic spine surgery.

Sciatic Nerve Pain in Phoenix – It Starts with Thorough Analysis

Before recommending any treatment – especially surgery – our team at Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center conducts a thorough examination and evaluation to understand why you’re experiencing sciatica pain. Then, we tailor our treatment suggestions to your unique circumstances. This is why it is so important to get a consultation done by a trained orthopaedic spine specialist.

What is common among all people who suffer from sciatic nerve pain in Phoenix is that the problem will not resolve itself, so if you notice an issue you should do something about it to make sure that you’re aware of all of your options.

A sciatica specialist like Dr. Baig will give you a thorough examination, meticulously reviewing your history and laying out all of your options.

If you’re experiencing sciatic nerve pain in Phoenix or anywhere nearby, please don’t hesitate to contact our office to schedule an initial consultation.