What Is Sciatica and How to Treat It? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

by | Jul 4, 2024 | Pain Control Clinic

Has your doctor used the term “sciatica” when talking about your chronic pain? Sciatica pain is unique nerve pain in the leg. While often improperly used as a medical diagnosis, it’s actually a symptom that may indicate an additional medical condition. Learn more about going to a sciatica pain doctor in Maine.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to a shooting or burning pain in the back of the leg along the sciatic nerve, from the lower spine down the leg. The pain can occur anywhere along the nerve. Sciatic pain often only affects one leg, since legs have their own individual sciatic nerve. On top of the pain, you may also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.

Sciatica Causes

When you visit your sciatica pain doctor in Maine, they will examine you to determine the cause of your pain. Sciatic pain occurs when something applies pressure to your sciatic nerve. However, there are several reasons why your nerve may be getting pinched, including:

Herniated disc

Bone spurs

Tumor

Sciatica Treatments

Mild sciatic pain may resolve itself over time. A herniated disc may fall back into place and stop pinching the nerve, for example. However, if the pain persists, your doctor will recommend other options depending on the cause of the condition.

Bone spurs may need to be surgically removed if they can’t be managed any other way. While rare, if you have a tumor causing the pain, a surgeon will need to remove the tumor. Schedule an appointment with QC Kinetix (South Portland) to start your treatment. View Testimonials.

Latest Articles

Categories

Archives