How Can a Pain Doctor Help Your Sciatica?
Sciatica
Sciatica is identified as back pain that is directly caused by the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs down each leg, making it the longest nerve in the body. This condition occurs for 40% of Americans, making it an incredibly common complication. It is important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms and ways it can be treated in order to help prevent or treat sciatica. If you need a pain management doctor in Suffolk County, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Long Island can help treat sciatica by using a wide variety of methods.
Symptoms
When someone has sciatica, pain can spread from the lower back to the hips, legs, and buttocks. Some of the common symptoms of sciatica are listed below:
- Back pain when sitting or sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing.
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in one leg.
- Pain radiating down the leg.
Back pain occurs in 31 million Americans, according to some studies. Naturally, this is an issue that we suffer from daily, especially as we age. Sciatica is just one of the many complications that leads to the development of back pain. Other potential risk factors could be involved, triggering sciatica and an abundance of other issues.
Risk Factors
- Age – Statistics show that Individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 are more likely to have or eventually develop sciatica.
- Pregnancy – The uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve during pregnancy, usually leading to pain and discomfort.
- Herniated disk – The herniated lumbar disk could press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain and affecting the quality of life.
- Degenerative arthritis – Also known as osteoarthritis, this condition is considered the most common form of the disease. When the cartilage around your joints wears down, it can cause pain.
- Spinal stenosis – The narrowing of your spine may trigger pain within the sciatic nerve. Narrowing of the spine is the direct condition associated with spinal stenosis.
- Piriformis syndrome – The piriformis muscle is located above the hip joint and stabilizes movement. Issues affecting this area of the body can harm the overall quality of life.
- Sacroiliitis – Inflammation of the sacroiliac joint can also be related to sciatica.
How a Pain Management Doctor in Suffolk County Can Help
Treatment is possible for symptoms of sciatica in order to restore comfort and help patients feel better physically. Below are some options for treatment offered at Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of Long Island:
- Steroid injections
- Stretching
- Physical therapy
- By working with a pain management doctor in Suffolk County, practitioners help you return to the activities you want to do by setting a plan for helping you to achieve your goals
- Occupational therapy
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Through OMT, physicians apply pressure to different areas of the body. This has several benefits, such as improving blood flow within the body.
Prevention
Your pain management doctor in Suffolk County will work with you to decrease your level of pain. Additionally, they will ensure safe practices into your everyday life so you can prevent it from returning.
- Healthy diet – Eating the right foods can help ease your sciatica pain. Be sure to include foods that contain a good source of vitamins and minerals. Your doctor will advise incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into your diet so that you can help prevent sciatica from recurring.
- Exercise – Performing low-intensity exercises will prevent strain from developing on the sciatic nerve. Additionally, it will strengthen the surrounding lumbar muscles. Your pain management doctor in Suffolk County will guide you on which exercises are best for you.
Pain Management Doctor in Suffolk County
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Long Island is available for your pain treatment needs. We offer clinical services for sciatica and other functions. We also provide therapies, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Leave a reply →