Sciatica is something that many people, as many as 40%, will experience in their lifetime. However, it is not a disease or condition on its own but is instead a symptom of underlying conditions. If you’ve ever wondered, “Who is the best doctor for sciatica nerve pain near me?” you’re not alone. The team at AICA College Park has a number of sciatica experts ready to help you overcome sciatica pain and manage its symptoms.
There are a variety of reasons sciatica can occur, which also means that the proper care may come from a variety of providers. You will likely need professional assistance in diagnosing the exact cause of your sciatic pain and determining how to best treat it.
Many people start with a College Park chiropractor for noninvasive treatment before determining what other providers may need to be involved. If you aren’t sure where to begin with your sciatic pain, this guide may help.
Do I Have Sciatica?
Sciatica generally refers to pain in the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. Beginning in the lower back and spanning down the buttocks, back of the legs, and into the feet, there are many areas of the nerve that can become compressed or compromised. Any interference with the sciatic nerve can lead to a range of painful symptoms. Depending on where the nerve irritation has occurred, symptoms may include:
- Weakness, tingling, numbness, and pain in the lower back and legs
- Constant pain in one (or rarely, both) side of the buttock and leg
- Symptoms that become worse with movements or changes in position
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Pain that radiates down the path of the nerve
- Symptoms lessen when lying down, but worsen when sitting
- Pain that is burning or searing rather than dull and aching
- Toe and foot pain
- A “pins and needles” sensation
Because most sciatica occurs as a result of degeneration and aging, these symptoms are more likely to appear spontaneously in people middle-aged or older. However, if there has been recent trauma, like a sports or car accident injury, it can appear in a younger population. Common causes of sciatica include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other injuries.
Long-Term Effects of Sciatica
If left untreated, sciatica can lead to several potential long-term effects, including:
- Chronic Pain: Sciatica can progress to chronic pain, which may persist for months or even years. Chronic sciatica can severely impact your quality of life, leading to ongoing discomfort and suffering.
- Permanent Nerve Damage: Prolonged compression of the sciatic nerve can result in permanent nerve damage. This can lead to persistent numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg.
- Muscle Atrophy: Continued weakness and lack of use can cause the muscles in the affected leg to shrink, which is known as muscle atrophy.
- Disability: Severe, untreated sciatica can potentially lead to long-term disability, even preventing people from working or participating in activities they enjoy. This can also have significant psychological and emotional impacts, including depression and anxiety.
- Reduced Quality of Life: The combined effects of chronic pain, reduced mobility, and disability can significantly diminish your overall quality of life, affecting both your physical and emotional well-being.
Importance of Treating Both Immediate and Long-Term Effects
Understanding the effects of sciatica and the importance of treating both is crucial for effective pain management and preventing further complications. Addressing both the immediate and long-term effects of sciatica is part of comprehensive care and sciatica recovery. In fact, effective treatment can provide relief from acute pain and prevent the progression of chronic conditions. Here’s why treating both is important:
- Pain Management: Immediate treatment helps alleviate acute pain caused by sciatica, which can improve your comfort and ability to function in daily life. Pain management techniques like medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic care can provide quick relief and improve your mobility.
- Preventing Chronic Conditions: Early sciatica intervention can prevent progression to chronic pain and other long-term complications. Addressing the root cause of nerve compression, whether through a sciatica orthopedist or neurologist, can reduce the risk of permanent nerve damage.
- Improving Functionality: Treating both immediate and long-term effects also helps you regain and maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and overall functionality. This is crucial for allowing you to return to your normal activities.
- Enhancing Quality of Life: Comprehensive sciatica treatment that addresses both immediate symptoms and long-term effects can significantly enhance your quality of life. By reducing pain, improving mobility, and preventing complications, you can enjoy a more active and fulfilling life.
- Preventing Recurrence: Long-term management strategies, such as lifestyle modifications, ergonomic adjustments, and ongoing physical therapy, can help prevent sciatica from coming back.
Diagnosing Sciatica
If you suspect you may be suffering from sciatica, you’ll want to visit a medical provider for lasting relief. While symptoms may disappear over the course of a few days, this does not mean that the underlying condition has improved, and you will likely experience symptoms again in the future.
Some people are comfortable starting with their primary care physician at the first sign of symptoms. A PCP will likely recognize the symptoms of sciatica from your description and may prescribe painkillers, rest, and some home remedies like ice and heat therapy. Some physicians will send you for diagnostic imaging like an MRI to rule out some conditions or better understand your pain.
However, many people will choose to visit a College Park chiropractor at the first sign of sciatic pain. A chiropractor will know enough about the spine to not only identify your sciatica but also to begin understanding what could be the cause of your pain. They may be able to perform a physical examination to identify any obvious issues with the spine or recommend the correct diagnostic imaging. Once your chiropractor understands the cause of your sciatica, they can begin developing an appropriate treatment plan.
What Type of Doctor to See for Sciatica
Various medical professionals can address sciatica, each offering unique treatment approaches. Here are some examples of what type of doctor to see for sciatica and the different techniques and treatment options they might provide:
Sciatica Chiropractor
Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, especially those related to the spine. For sciatica, chiropractic care typically involves spinal adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations. The goal of chiropractic adjustments is to improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve compression, and restore a healthy range of motion in and around the spine.
Chiropractors often utilize various noninvasive techniques like massage therapy, physical therapy exercises, and even lifestyle counseling. Massage therapy can help relax tight muscles, alleviate pain, and improve circulation, which promotes healing. Stretches and exercises prescribed by sciatica chiropractors focus on strengthening the muscles supporting the spine, enhancing flexibility, and reducing the likelihood of future issues with sciatica. Overall, chiropractic care for sciatica is noninvasive and aims to relieve pain by addressing the underlying spinal issues contributing to nerve compression.
Physical Therapist for Sciatica
Physical therapists (PTs) can also play a crucial role in the treatment of sciatica through developing personalized exercise programs. Physical therapy aims to alleviate sciatica pain, improve your mobility, and strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine and lower extremities.
Your physical therapist will first perform a thorough assessment to identify the specific cause of the sciatic pain, like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or muscle imbalances. Based on this assessment, they will create a tailored rehabilitation plan. Common exercises may include stretching routines to improve the flexibility of your hamstrings and lower back muscles, strengthening exercises for the core and back muscles, and aerobic conditioning to improve your overall fitness.
In addition to exercises, PTs may use treatment modalities like heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, and manual therapy techniques. Heat and cold therapy can reduce inflammation and pain, while ultrasound and manual therapy can promote tissue healing and pain relief. Physical therapists provide a comprehensive approach that not only addresses your current symptoms but also aims to prevent future episodes of sciatica.
Orthopedic Doctor for Sciatica
Orthopedic doctors, or orthopedists, are medical doctors specializing in the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. They are well-equipped to diagnose and treat conditions causing sciatica, often through a combination of non-surgical and surgical methods.
An orthopedic doctor will typically begin with a thorough physical examination and diagnostic imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, to pinpoint the cause of the sciatic nerve compression. Based on the diagnosis, they may recommend a range of non-surgical treatments, including medications, physical therapy, and injections.
Medications prescribed by orthopedists for sciatica often include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and, in some cases, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain. For those who do not respond to conservative treatments, surgical options may be considered depending on the severity of your sciatica.
Neurologist for Sciatica
Due to its roots in the nerves, there is an obvious connection between neurologists and sciatica. Neurologists specialize in disorders of the nervous system, making them highly relevant in the diagnosis and treatment of sciatica, especially when the condition is suspected to involve significant nerve damage or potential neurological deficits. A neurologist will conduct a detailed neurological examination, which may include nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) to assess nerve function and identify the area of concern. These tests help determine the best course of sciatica treatment, especially if there are concerns about nerve damage or if symptoms are not improving with other treatments.
Treatment by a neurologist may involve medications to manage pain and inflammation, like those prescribed by orthopedic doctors. Additionally, neurologists might recommend specific physical therapy regimens tailored to the neurological aspects of sciatica. A neurologist for sciatica may also collaborate with other specialists, such as orthopedic surgeons or pain management specialists, to provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. This collaboration ensures that all aspects of the condition are addressed, from the initial nerve irritation to the long-term management of symptoms.
Best Doctor for Sciatica Nerve Pain Near You at AICA College Park
Sciatica can be effectively treated by various medical professionals, each offering unique expertise. Chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedic doctors, and neurologists provide comprehensive care tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Whether through noninvasive adjustments, targeted exercises, medications, or surgical interventions, the best doctor for sciatica nerve pain is at AICA Orthopedics in College Park. We offer care from a wide range of specialists for sciatica treatment at AICA College Park. At the first sign of sciatic pain, contact AICA College Park today to schedule your first appointment.