Sciatica is a condition that results from a herniated disc pinching an adjacent nerve root in the lower back. The symptoms that result from the nerve pinching may vary, but typically consist of pain. Patients can suffer from an unbearable pain that interferes with their daily activities and disrupt their lifestyle. It generally worsens every time you cough or sneeze. In a few cases, it also makes it difficult for the patient to move his foot or bend the knee.

What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Sciatica has an effect on the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that extends from the lower back down the back of each leg. It is actually a combination of three nerves that come together. The patient can suffer from a tingling or burning sensation and other symptoms.

These are the most common symptoms of sciatica.

  • Lower back pain
  • Hip pain
  • A shooting pain that makes it impossible for the patient to stand
  • Pain in the legs that worsens when the patient is sitting
  • Movement difficulties and a burning sensation
  • Constant pain in the legs or the rear region
  • Sciatica generally affects just one side of the lower body. The pain can also extend to the toes or foot, depending on where the sciatic pain is affected.

The pain can be worsened by:

  • Sneezing
  • Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time
  • Coughing

What Are The Causes Of Sciatica?

Sciatica is a symptom that your nerve that is inside or outside the spinal cord is pinched or trapped. Generally, this is due to a slipped disc, a narrowing slippage of vertebrae in the spine or a muscle problem in the buttocks.  All these events can trigger sciatic pain among patients.

How to Get It Diagnosed?

Our spine is a sophisticated arrangement of several different kinds of components. It was fairly difficult to detect medical conditions, such as sciatica, decades ago when no advanced techniques were widely used. However, thanks to modern  imaging techniques, such as an MRI, it has become possible to define the true reason for Sciatica.

What Are The Treatment Options To Relieve Sciatica?

Treatment methods focus on relieving inflammation and pressure. These are the most common treatment methods that are currently in use:

  • Anti-Inflammatory Drugs – To relieve inflammation
  • Epidural Steroid Injections – Administered at the origin of the inflamed sciatic nerve roots
  • Physiotherapy – To prevent future episodes of pain
  • Surgery – Recommended only if the pain is severe and does not respond to other treatment methods

When Should I seek Medical Assistance?

All patients whose symptoms aggravate with time should seek immediate medical attention with a pain management doctor in Maryland such as Dr. Zed. Certainly if bladder and bowel control problems accompany painful sciatic symptoms then treatment is an emergency..

Over 95% of the time, sciatica symptoms can be relieved or cured with medication and do not require surgery. All Star Pain Management accepts most insurance and has two pain management clinics in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. Call us today for top relief!

Save