Sciatica
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Pain Management of Long Island
Pain Management & Anesthesiology located in Medford, NY
As many as 10% of men and women who suffer from low back pain have sciatica, as reported in the British Medical Journal. Because sciatica can be debilitating, Mehran Golpariani, MD -- a top-rated pain-relief practitioner -- offers advanced treatments. Most men and women who start sciatica treatment at Pain Management of Long Island in Medford, New York enjoy relief after their first session. Schedule your sciatica evaluation either through the online scheduler or by calling the office.
Sciatica Q & A
What causes sciatica?
One of the longest nerves in your body is the sciatic nerve. It runs from your lower back, all the way down the back of each leg, into your feet. When this nerve becomes compressed -- a condition called sciatica -- you start feeling extreme pain and tingling in your lower back, buttocks, or either leg.
Your case of sciatica may stem from:
- Older age
- Bone spurs or herniated discs
- Type I or type II diabetes
- Excess body weight
- Standing or sitting for long periods
The diagnosis of sciatica usually involves evaluating your symptoms and imaging studies to pinpoint the source of your pain.
How is sciatica treated?
Treating sciatica often involves a multitude of approaches to determine what works best for you.
If you’re overweight, for instance, you might find relief by exercising and making dietary changes to achieve a healthier weight. If you have diabetes, learning to manage your blood sugar better can help because elevated glucose can damage nerves.
Dr. Golpariani may also suggest targeted epidural steroid injections. During these treatments, conducted in a private suite, Dr. Golpariani uses a fluoroscopy imaging system to verify that the epidural medication is injected into the precise location of your pain.
Epidural steroid injections can relieve the pain and inflammation associated with sciatica. These treatments are long-lasting and have provided relief for up to one year.
Do I need surgery for sciatica?
Because Dr. Golpariani has extensive training in diagnosing and treating sciatica, and many men and women find relief from epidural steroid injections, you probably won’t require surgery. If conservative treatments don’t work for you or your sciatica gets worse, surgery could be an option.
Surgery is sometimes essential for severe cases of sciatica, like if you lose bowel or bladder control. In these rare cases, the operation involves removing the source of sciatic compression — often a bone spur — to take pressure off the nerve.
Schedule your sciatica evaluation at Pain Management of Long Island by using the online scheduling system or by calling the clinic.
