Sciatica can be one of the most troublesome types of chronic pain. While the discomfort is often felt in the buttocks and/or down the back of one leg, the irritated or “pinched” sciatic nerve that causes the pain originates in the low back. It makes sense, therefore, that most sciatica cases are triggered by a herniated disk in the lumbar spine or by bone spur on a vertebra. Spinal stenosis and SI joint dysfunction are also common culprits to sciatic pain.
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain can vary greatly from person to person. In general, the warning signs that the sciatic nerve is inflamed or compressed can include the following symptoms anywhere along the nerve pathway:
- Mild or persistent ache
- Sharp, burning sensation
- Excruciating pain
- Electric shock feeling
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle Weakness
Those that suffer from frequent bouts of sciatica may learn what triggers their painful flare-ups and avoiding these triggers can resolve their symptoms. Sciatic pain is often worse with prolonged sitting or when coughing and sneezing.
Treating Stubborn Sciatica
The good news is that you don’t have to suffer through sciatic discomfort. While some patients can slowly resolve their symptoms by improving their posture, adjusting their walking patterns or changing their lifting techniques, others need medical intervention.
Epidural Injections for Fast Relief
At Clear Immediate Care, we understand the importance of long-lasting relief when it comes to sciatica. Our physicians are trained to not only determine an accurate reason for the sciatic nerve compression but also offer non-surgical treatment options when needed. When sciatic pain is severe, persistent or not relieved by changes in movement patterns, epidural injections can be an excellent solution.
Epidural injections for sciatica involve injecting a steroid into the lumbar spine to reduce inflammation and sensitivity at the nerve root. By targeting and decreasing inflammation, many patients find that epidural injections deliver quick relief from sciatic pain, and they are able to return to physical activity without pain and restriction. Sciatica is often worse without movement so a return to activity can help to ease future bouts of sciatica as well.
Is sciatic pain keeping you from comfortably sitting through a movie or sleeping through the night? Please schedule an appointment at Clear Immediate Care to learn more about epidural steroid injections and other minimally-invasive treatment options to lasting relief!