A sore back usually improves with rest and conservative care. But when pain involves the nerves that travel from your lower back into your legs, it may be sciatica rather than a simple muscle strain.
Relief from sciatica and all types of back pain starts with personalized care at The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas. Board-certified specialist Thomas Jones II, MD, prioritizes noninvasive and conservative therapies to treat sciatica and complex spinal disorders, reserving advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques strictly for cases where nonoperative approaches aren't enough.
Sciatica is sharp, shooting pain triggered when a pinched nerve root in your lower spine becomes compressed or inflamed. As your body's longest nerve, the sciatic nerve travels from your lower back, through your buttocks, and deep into your legs.
A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or other spinal condition can put pressure on a nerve root and trigger sciatic symptoms. Unlike ordinary back pain, sciatica produces characteristic symptoms that extend beyond the lower back.
The following are four warning signs.
One of the most recognizable signs of sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down into the leg. You may experience a sharp, burning, or electric sensation rather than the dull ache associated with a typical sore muscle.
Sciatic nerve pain often affects only one side of the body, and you may notice symptoms worsen with certain movements, prolonged sitting, coughing, or sneezing.
Pins-and-needles sensations, numbness, or unusual sensations in your buttock, thigh, calf, or foot can indicate that your sciatic nerve is being irritated or compressed.
You shouldn't automatically dismiss these symptoms as part of getting older. If you’re dealing with persistent numbness, it’s best to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jones to determine what’s causing the nerve irritation.
Nerve compression can affect more than sensation. It can also interfere with the signals that control your muscles, causing weakness in the leg or foot. You might experience difficulty walking, climbing stairs, standing on your toes, or lifting the front of your foot.
New or worsening weakness is especially important to discuss with a spine specialist because prolonged nerve compression can potentially cause lasting problems.
Common, uncomplicated back pain should improve over time. If your pain continues despite rest and conservative measures, repeatedly returns, or progressively interferes with work, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities, an underlying spinal condition may be responsible.
An evaluation can help identify whether a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative changes, or another problem is irritating a nerve.
Don’t put off having radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness checked out. A thorough evaluation and, when appropriate, diagnostic imaging can help determine the source of your symptoms and guide treatment.
If you develop severe or worsening weakness, numbness around the buttocks, or new difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, seek urgent medical attention.
Contact The Spine Institute of Southeast Texas in Pearland, Houston, or Lake Jackson, Texas, to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Jones and get started on the path toward lasting relief.
