5 Ways To Know If You Are Suffering From Sciatica

A long day of gardening or a weekend pick-up game of hoops can leave you with an achy back, but when the pain persists, you may wonder whether you have sciatica. 

Don’t try to guess the source of your back pain — get answers.

LA Pain Doctor is the go-to source for managing all types of pain, including sciatica. Our pain experts relieve back pain for patients throughout Louisiana from five locations — and we can help you, too. 

First, we have to determine the root cause of your pain. Here are the top five symptoms of sciatica and their potential causes.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition

Contrary to popular belief, sciatica isn’t a condition but a symptom of underlying issues affecting the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down to your feet.

Several common conditions can trigger sciatica, each requiring specific attention and treatment. Here are the most common culprits:

Herniated disc

A herniated disc occurs when one of the rubbery discs between your spinal bones slips out of place or ruptures. A displaced disc can press against your sciatic nerve, causing severe pain and discomfort. 

If you have a herniated disc, you may notice that your symptoms worsen with specific movements or activities.

Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease occurs as you age. The discs in your spine lose hydration and flexibility, leading to wear-and-tear that irritates the sciatic nerve and results in sciatica symptoms. 

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal. The cramped space can compress your nerves, including the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and leg weakness. 

Nerve root injury

Injured nerve roots resulting from accidents, trauma, or repetitive stress in your lower spine can also cause sciatica. Call us if you’ve recently experienced an injury and feel pain radiating down your leg.

Signs you have sciatica

Sciatica is more than mere back pain; it’s a set of symptoms that come and go and affect more than just your back. Here are five classic signs of sciatica:

1. Radiating leg pain

One of the hallmark signs of sciatica is pain that starts in your lower back and shoots through your buttocks and down one leg. This pain typically follows the sciatic nerve path, ranging from mild to severe. People often describe it as a burning or sharp sensation. If your leg pain seems to originate in your back, sciatica might be the culprit.

2. Numbness and tingling

Another common symptom of sciatica is numbness or a tingling sensation in your leg or foot. You might notice that specific areas along the sciatic nerve pathway feel “asleep” or experience a pins-and-needles sensation. 

3. Muscle weakness

Sciatica can also lead to muscle weakness in one or both legs. You might find it harder to lift your foot or move your leg in specific ways, making it difficult to walk or climb stairs and feel unsteady on your feet.

4. Persistent pain on one side

If your pain is predominantly on one side of your body — either your left or right leg — it could be a sign of sciatica. While sciatica can affect both sides, it most commonly impacts just one leg. This unilateral pain helps us distinguish sciatica from other types of back pain.

5. Worsening pain when sitting

If your pain intensifies when you sit down, especially for long periods, it might be sciatica because sitting puts extra pressure on the sciatic nerve. On the other hand, standing up or walking might provide some relief.

Treatments for sciatica

Fortunately, our LA Pain Doctor team offers several effective treatments to alleviate sciatica. 

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often the first line of defense against sciatica. We create a personalized exercise program to strengthen your back and leg muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can temporarily relieve sciatica symptoms. Sometimes, we prescribe stronger medications or muscle relaxants to manage pain and inflammation.

Lifestyle changes

Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and incorporating regular exercise into your routine can all reduce the risk of developing sciatica or alleviate the symptoms once they occur.

Next-level sciatica treatments 

At LA Pain Doctor, we always aim to help you avoid surgery. We offer intrathecal pain pumps, prolotherapy, and spinal cord stimulation to manage your pain and keep surgery at bay.

However, in severe cases where conservative treatments don’t work, surgery might be your best option. Procedures such as discectomy (removal of a herniated disc) or lumbar laminectomy (widening of the spinal canal) relieve pressure on your sciatic nerve and alleviate symptoms.

Call the LA Pain Doctor and get to the bottom of your back, bottom, and leg pain. Call us in Metairie, Laplace, Harvey, Luling, or Hammond, Louisiana, or request an appointment online.