Sciatica is one of the most common reasons people seek help for back and leg pain. It affects 40% of people at some point in their lives.
It causes uncomfortable sensations that feel sharp, electric, burning, or achy, and often makes everyday activities like sitting, standing, or walking more difficult. Understanding what’s behind sciatica is the first step toward finding real relief.
Here at Expert Pain in Houston, Texas, Ioannis Skaribas, MD, DABA, FASA, identifies the underlying cause and creates a treatment plan to help you move with less discomfort and greater confidence.
Read on to learn more about sciatica and how you can find relief.
Sciatica is a symptom, rather than a diagnosis. The term describes pain and other symptoms that travel along the sciatic nerve. It’s the longest nerve in the body that runs from your lower back through your hips, extending down each leg and into your feet.
When something irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve, it can send pain, tingling, or numbness down its entire pathway or in isolated areas of the nerve, such as the hips or the back of the upper thigh.
Several factors can lead to irritation of the sciatic nerve. These include:
Soft discs cushion the space between the vertebrae in your back. The most frequent cause of sciatica is a disc that slips or bulges out of place. When the soft inner disc material presses on nearby nerves, it can trigger sudden, sharp pain radiating down one leg.
As you age, the spinal canal can narrow, resulting in a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis. This narrowing places pressure on the sciatic nerve roots, often leading to pain, heaviness, or weakness in the legs.
Wear-and-tear changes in the spine can cause inflammation, instability, or nerve irritation. When your discs compress or become dehydrated, nearby nerves — including the sciatic nerve — can become compressed.
The piriformis muscle sits deep in the glutes. When it becomes tight or spasms, it can press directly on the sciatic nerve, causing radiating pain down the leg. This is more common in athletes, walkers, and people who sit for long hours.
This condition occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. The shift can pinch the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, creating lower back and leg symptoms.
At Expert Pain, Dr. Skaribas takes a targeted approach to treating sciatica. Rather than simply masking symptoms, he focuses on reducing inflammation, easing nerve compression, and restoring function.
Dr. Skaribas begins by identifying the exact cause of your sciatica using a detailed exam that includes a thorough review of your symptoms and activity patterns. If needed, he’ll order imaging studies. He uses the information he gathers to create a treatment plan unique to you.
Depending on what’s causing the pain, your treatment plan may include:
The goal of treatment is to release nerve pressure, restore movement, and help you return to daily activities.
Sciatica can disrupt your life, but you don’t have to live with ongoing pain or uncertainty. With the right diagnosis and a tailored pain management plan, you can find meaningful relief and regain your quality of life.
If you’re experiencing persistent leg pain, numbness, or lower back discomfort, Dr. Skaribas can help you take the next step toward healing.
Contact Expert Pain today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the cause of your sciatica and appropriate treatment.
