Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that develops when your sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in the human body — becomes inflamed or gets damaged. Your sciatic nerve is made up of five different nerve roots that bundle together in your lower back.

The nerve moves down your thigh, and then branches into two different nerves called the tibial and common peroneal nerve. Because your sciatic nerve covers so much area in your body, it can cause symptoms in your back, thighs, and buttocks when it's compressed or otherwise damaged.

There are many possible causes, but it's often related to sciatic nerve compression caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. The compression triggers inflammation, typically causes the symptoms of sciatica.

Sciatica has unique symptoms that make it fairly easy to recognize. Usually, symptoms occur in only one side of your body, but sciatica can very rarely affect both sides. Some of the most common symptoms include:

- Lower back pain that radiates or shoots down one leg
- Burning sensation in your lower back, buttocks, or thigh
- Tingling sensation in your lower back, buttocks, or thigh
- Persistent ache in your lower back, buttocks, or thigh
- Numbness in your lower back, buttocks, or thigh

Sciatica symptoms are often sporadic. If you're dealing with any of these symptoms, it's important to get evaluated quickly so you can get the relief you need.

A physical exam, review of your symptoms, and full medical history review help your medical providers at Elite Medical Center make a sciatica diagnosis. The team also uses on-site diagnostic imaging equipment, including digital X-rays and ultrasound, to verify your sciatica diagnosis.

Elite Medical Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to pain. This ensures that you get not only pain relief but also true healing. Your treatment may include:

- Chiropractic care
- Ultrasound therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes

If your sciatica doesn't respond to these conservative treatment approaches, regenerative medicine treatments could be a great fit for you. With treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, research suggests these natural substances can jump-start your body’s innate recovery processes leading to long-term pain relief.

Get sciatica help now by calling the Elite Medical Center office or using online booking around the clock.