Top 10 Things To Know About Your Sciatica

Sciatica, a condition in which the sciatic nerve is pinched or inflamed, is a common spine condition that can cause symptoms of pain, muscle weakness, and tingling in the leg and lower back. Your doctor can give you more detailed information about sciatica as it applies to your particular situation, but you should know these 10 important facts about the condition:

1. There are many causes. Compression of the sciatic nerve can be caused by a wide range of conditions, from herniated discs to arthritis to the natural structure of a person's muscles.
2. Exercise can help. Regular stretches and exercise can help keep pressure off of the nerve and strengthen the muscles responsible for supporting the back.
3. Weight loss can help. Excess weight puts extra pressure on all of the joints in the body, making injury more likely and symptoms more severe. 
4. Smoking can increase your risk. Smoking increases the risk of injury and spine conditions developing, and decreases the body's ability to heal from such issues.
5. Age can increase your risk. Spine and orthopedic issues become more common with age, meaning that people who have reached middle age are at a higher risk for sciatica. However, people of any age can develop this condition.
6. Surgery is rarely necessary. Most of the time, this condition can be treated with non-surgical methods like physical therapy, medication, and injections. Surgery is normally reserved for cases when symptoms are very severe, or when the patient doesn't respond to conservative treatments.
7. There are minimally invasive surgeries available. In cases where surgery is necessary, sciatica can often be effectively treated using minimally invasive procedures like laser spine surgery.
8. Pain management is a complex issue. If you have chronic pain from sciatica or another condition, it's best to see a pain specialist, because they will be able to address the pain itself through a more comprehensive lens.
9. Your doctor matters. A good doctor will be able to communicate with you about your symptoms and treatment, identify the best course of action, and implement any treatments with excellent skills.
10. There is hope. When you suffer from pain, relief can seem like a distant prospect. It's important to realize that the vast majority of people with back pain are able to find lasting relief from their symptoms.

To learn more about treatment for your sciatica, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (646) 374-1799.