Sciatica Pain Relief
If you experience a sharp, stabbing pain that radiates from your lower back or hip into your leg, it may indicate you have a condition known as sciatica.
Sciatic Nerve Pain Causes
Sciatica occurs when trauma or a medical condition, such as a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal bone spurs, or a tumor on the spine, places pressure on your sciatic nerve, the longest and thickest nerve in your body that extends from your lower back all the way to your feet. The nerve becomes inflamed or compressed, causing shooting pain, weakness, or a tingling sensation that can travel from your lower back, through the buttock and back of your leg, and into your foot.
Conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy, or obesity can also irritate and compress the sciatic nerve.
In most cases, sciatica only affects one side of your body. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation and may also cause numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg. The pain may worsen if you’ve been sitting for awhile or when you sneeze or cough.
Sciatica Pain Relief
At Ahlgren Spine in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Lapeer, Michigan, we frequently diagnose and treat cases of sciatica. First, Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren performs a physical examination and reviews your medical history, asking you to describe your symptoms. He also has you perform simple movements as a way of evaluating your strength and range of motion.
If diagnostic tests are needed, they may include an X-ray, myelogram, MRI, CT scan, electromyography (EMG), or nerve conduction study. These imaging tests enable Dr. Ahlgren and his assistants to determine the precise location, source, and severity of your sciatic nerve compression, as well as how well the nerve is functioning.
From there, we can develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve your pain, which usually entails nonsurgical treatments, such as pain-relieving medication, steroid injections, or physical therapy. However, if your condition is severe or doesn’t improve with these measures, we may recommend surgery.
Sciatica Pain Treatment in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Lapeer, Michigan
For effective, expert treatment for sciatica, call the specialists at Ahlgren Spine at (248) 215-8080 and schedule an appointment or use our online request form.
