Back pain is by far the most common type of chronic pain patients face daily. Because back pain is so common, there are many causes, including sciatica. While many patients may be familiar with sciatica, others may not understand some of its unique symptoms compared to general back pain. We’ll take a closer look at sciatica vs. general back pain and how Macomb Pain Management can offer the treatment options you need to manage both.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the common term for pain caused by irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and travels from the lower back down through both legs. Sciatic pain often presents in the lower back, legs, and hips and is frequently described as a burning or tingling sensation. Other symptoms of sciatica-related issues can include:
- Electric-like pain sensations
- Numbness in the legs
- Pain that worsens when sitting
- Pain that radiates below the knee
These symptoms, combined with lower back pain, could indicate that you are dealing with a sciatic nerve-related case of back pain.
What is General Back Pain?
General back pain typically refers to back pain caused by muscles, ligaments, and general wear and tear. Typically, patients with general back pain do not have the same symptoms of numbness in the legs or pain radiating down below the knee as seen in cases of sciatica. Some of the more common causes of general back pain that we see in our patients include:
- Muscle strain from lifting or overuse
- Poor posture or prolonged sitting
- Facet joint irritation
- Degenerative disc disease
- Arthritis-related stiffness
If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with general back pain or sciatica-related back pain, our team can help you identify the root cause of your pain and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatments for Sciatica
Treatment options for sciatica will focus on calming and alleviating nerve pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Epidural steroid injections and selective nerve root blocks are minimally invasive treatment options and can work quickly to alleviate pain in mild to moderate cases of sciatica. Physical therapy treatments that focus on nerve mobility can be another powerful treatment option for patients who prefer medication-free care. For more advanced cases of sciatica nerve decompression, minimally invasive procedures, and long-term pain management planning can provide you with pain relief. At Macomb Pain Management, our team will work with you to help you find an effective treatment option to manage your sciatica pain.
When to Seek Treatment for Sciatica Pain
For many patients, not knowing when to seek treatment for their sciatica pain can keep them from getting relief as fast as possible. Typically, we recommend patients seek care for their sciatica pain if they have:
- Progressive leg weakness
- Trouble walking
- Severe numbness
- Loss of balance
- Pain that does not improve
While getting seen for sciatica pain can seem scary for many patients, Macomb Pain Management has several minimally invasive and medication-free treatment options to help you safely manage your pain. Give our team a call today to set up an evaluation for your sciatica pain.
Get Treatment for Sciatica Pain at Macomb Pain Management
To get started with treatments for sciatica pain and to find out the root cause of your back pain, give our team at Macomb Pain Management a call today at (248) 844-8281. We look forward to working with you and helping you find an effective treatment option for your back pain.
