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What is Sciatica Pain and How to Treat It: Insights from Dr. Shivang Desai
Sciatica pain can feel like a sharp jolt, a deep ache, or even a burning sensation that runs from your lower back down your leg. It’s the kind of pain that makes simple daily activities—like walking, sitting, or even getting comfortable in bed—nearly impossible.
This discomfort happens when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body, gets irritated or compressed. Running from your lower spine through your hips and down each leg, the sciatic nerve controls movement and sensation in the lower body. When something puts pressure on it—like a herniated disc or prolonged poor posture—it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
The good news? Sciatica pain is treatable, often resolved with a holistic treatment plan. Dr. Shivang Desai, an interventional pain medicine provider and medical director of Essen Health Care’s Pain Center, specializes in helping patients find relief. In this article, Dr. Desai shares the common sources of sciatica pain and five effective ways to relieve the pain so you can get back to living pain-free.
What is Sciatica Pain, and Why Does It Happen?
Have you ever felt a sharp, shooting pain that starts in your lower back and travels down your leg? That could be sciatica pain. It’s not just a simple backache—it’s a condition that happens when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. It’s responsible for movement and sensation in the lower body, so the result can be painful when something presses on it.
But why does this happen? Dr. Desai outlines below what may be the source of sciatica pain:
- Herniated Disc: The soft cushion between your spinal bones can bulge or rupture, pressing on the sciatic nerve and causing pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg.
- Spinal Stenosis: As we age, the space inside the spine can narrow, putting pressure on the nerve and leading to leg pain, especially when standing or walking.
- Piriformis Syndrome: A small muscle in the buttocks, the piriformis, can become tight or inflamed, pressing on the sciatic nerve and causing radiating leg pain.
While the source of sciatica can vary, its impact will limit mobility and disrupt daily life. But the good news? Relief is possible.
5 Ways to Manage Sciatica Pain
Dr. Desai takes a comprehensive approach to managing sciatica pain, focusing on personalized care and targeted treatments to address the root cause and provide lasting relief. Sciatica pain can be a persistent issue, but with the right treatment plan, most people can find relief and return to their daily activities with less discomfort.
Every case of sciatica pain is unique, which is why treatment should be tailored to each individual’s needs. Some patients may find relief with simple at-home treatments, while others may require more advanced medical attention. Below are five key treatment options Dr. Desai recommends for managing sciatica pain:
Targeted physical therapy exercises can help strengthen your core, improve flexibility, and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. A personalized plan can make daily movements easier and prevent future flare-ups. Working with a physical therapist is a great way to ensure you perform the right exercises safely and effectively for long-term relief.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or Tylenol, can help with mild symptoms, while prescription options like muscle relaxants or nerve pain medications may be needed for more persistent discomfort. Before starting any new medications, please consult your doctor.
Small changes can have a significant impact. Improving posture, adjusting movement patterns, and maintaining a regular exercise routine can help prevent sciatic nerve irritation and keep pain at bay.
Sometimes, a holistic approach works best. Heat and ice therapy, massage therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques can provide additional relief and promote relaxation. Speak with your doctor about which therapies will best fit into your personal pain management plan. The great news is that most of these therapies can be completed at home.
For more severe cases, a pain management doctor can provide advanced treatments tailored to your specific needs. Epidural steroid injections can help reduce inflammation around the sciatic nerve, relieving pain and swelling. Nerve blocks temporarily disrupt pain signals, providing significant relief for those with chronic discomfort. Additionally, a specialist may develop a personalized medication plan, including muscle relaxants, nerve pain medications, or anti-inflammatory drugs to manage persistent symptoms. By consulting with a pain management expert, patients can explore a range of targeted therapies designed to restore mobility and improve overall quality of life.
Sciatica pain can be disruptive, but with the right treatment plan, relief is possible. Dr. Desai emphasizes a comprehensive approach, combining physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, medications to manage pain and inflammation, and minor adjustments to daily habits to reduce nerve irritation. Complementary therapies like heat/ice treatment, massage, and mindfulness can further support recovery. Pain management specialists can provide targeted treatments or personalized medication plans for more severe cases. Patients can regain mobility and reduce discomfort by addressing the root cause and tailoring treatment to each individual.
If you are experiencing persistent sciatica pain, it is vital to seek professional medical guidance. Dr. Shivang Desai and the Pain Center team at Essen Health Care are here to help you find the best treatment plan for lasting relief.
Don’t let sciatica pain control your life—take the first step toward recovery today. Book your appointment today!
About Dr. Desai
Dr. Shivang Desai, MD, is an interventional pain medicine provider and the current medical director at Essen Health Care’s Pain Center of Excellence. He has 10 years of experience in the medical field. After graduating Medical School from Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, he completed a residency in Anesthesiology at Columbia University and then completed a fellowship in interventional pain medicine at Emory University. Currently, Dr. Desai sees patients at our 1775 Grand Concourse location.
