Sciatica Specialist

Sciatica services offered in Kingwood, Kingwood, TX

Burning, sharp, or radiating lower back pain could indicate sciatica, a type of nerve pain that can be crippling when left untreated. About 40% of people experience sciatica at some point. At the North Houston Pain Center in Kingwood, Texas, the experienced pain management specialists treat sciatica discomfort to give you fast relief. Call the office today to learn more or schedule an appointment online.

Sciatica Q & A

What is sciatica?

Sciatica discomfort is nerve pain that radiates along your sciatic nerve pathway. The body's largest nerve starts in your lower back, extending through your hips and buttocks down into each leg.

Sciatica is often caused by a herniated spinal disc, spinal canal narrowing (stenosis), or a bone spur that pressures a nerve. Treatment at the North Houston Pain Center can relieve your discomfort.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

Lower back pain
Radiating pain down one leg
Sharp pain
Mild aching
Excruciating discomfort
Electric shocklike feeling
Pain when coughing or sneezing
Discomfort with prolonged sitting
Numbness
Tingling
Muscle weakness
Reduced bladder or bowel function

Sciatica usually affects just one side of your body. It could go away gradually, but in other cases, you need treatment to ease or eliminate sciatica pain.

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

The risk factors for developing sciatica include:

Herniated discs
Bone overgrowth
Tumors
Diabetes
Narrowing of your spinal canal
Prolonged sitting
Physically demanding job
Heavy lifting
Older age
Obesity

Ways to reduce your chance of developing sciatica include getting regular exercise, using proper lifting techniques, having good posture, and maintaining an ideal body weight.

How does my provider diagnose sciatica?

The North Houston Pain Center experts ask questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms to find out if you have sciatica and develop an effective treatment. They complete a physical exam and assess your reflexes, muscle strength, and more. You might need X-rays, an MRI, or nerve-function testing.

How is sciatica treated?

Your treatment plan for sciatica can include:

Home remedies

Home remedies for sciatica pain include hot or cold packs, resting, and stretching.

Physical therapy

Completing physical therapy exercises and stretches can reduce sciatica discomfort and the need for pain medication.

Injections

The North Houston Pain Center team offers steroid injections to reduce inflammation near a nerve, lessening the pain.

Surgery

Sometimes, surgery is the best way to eliminate nerve compression. Your provider can remove bone spurs or herniated discs that press against painful nerves.

Don’t live with sciatica pain when simple treatments at the North Houston Pain Center provide relief. Call the office today to learn more or schedule an appointment online.