Struggling with Sciatica? Here's How to Get Fast Relief

Sciatica isn’t just a run-of-the-mill sore back; it’s a deep, shooting pain that can travel from your lower spine all the way down your leg that makes everyday tasks like sitting, walking, or even sleeping feel nearly impossible. 

This kind of nerve pain affects up to 40% of people at some point in their lives. For some, it comes on suddenly after lifting a heavy object. For others, it builds slowly due to things like poor posture or a herniated disc. No matter how it begins, the goal remains the same: to find real, lasting relief. 

Continue reading to get answers to the most common questions people ask about sciatica, including what actually helps and when you should reach out to the best orthopedic surgeon in Riverside to get lasting sciatica pain relief. 

Sciatica 101: Understanding the Causes and Risk Factors of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatica isn’t a diagnosis on its own; rather, it’s a word used to describe the pain that happens when something puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. This nerve starts in your lower back and travels through your hips and down each leg, so when it gets irritated or squeezed, the pain can radiate from your lower back all the way to your foot. 

The most common reasons this happens are: 

• Herniated discs, when the soft cushion between your spine’s bones bulges or slips out, pressing on a nerve
• Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal
• Bone spurs
• Tightening of the piriformis muscle deep in your hip 

Other contributors include degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and muscle imbalances. If you sit for long periods during the day, have poor posture, carry extra weight from obesity or pregnancy, or have recently injured your back, you’re more likely to experience sciatica. 

How to Know if Your Pain is Really Sciatica Pain

If you experience any of the following sciatica symptoms, like feeling a sharp or burning pain that starts in your lower back and shoots down one leg, there’s a good chance it could be sciatica. Some people describe it as a deep ache, while others say it feels more like pins and needles or numbness along the back of their thigh or calf. This kind of nerve pain often flares up when you sit for too long, sneeze, cough, or make a sudden movement; basically, anything that puts more pressure on your lower spine. 

What Are the Best Treatments for Sciatica Pain?

When sciatica strikes, the good news is that most people can feel better with simple, non-invasive treatments: 

• Physical therapy is often a great place to start. A physical therapist can teach you stretches and gentle movements that relieve pressure on the nerve and strengthen the muscles that support your spine. 
• At home, alternating ice and heat can help reduce inflammation and soothe tight muscles. 
• Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (NSAIDs) can also take the edge off the pain. 

However, if the pain persists or begins to affect your ability to walk or sleep, consulting an orthopedic spine surgeon is your best bet for effective and lasting relief. They can offer several treatment options ranging from a steroid injection to calm down the nerve or, in rare cases, a minimally invasive surgery to remove whatever is pressing on it. 

When to See an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon for Sciatica Treatment

While some cases of sciatica improve with time and at-home care, there are cases when it’s important to get help from an orthopedic doctor. If your pain has been hanging around for more than a few weeks or seems to be getting worse instead of better, it’s a sign that something deeper might be going on. Additionally, if you suddenly notice that you’re having trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or if your leg becomes very weak or hard to move, don’t wait. Those are red flags that need immediate attention and can indicate cauda equina symptoms. 

An orthopedic spine surgeon can take a closer look using imaging tools like an MRI or CT scan to figure out exactly what’s pressing on the nerve and how to effectively fix it. The sooner you get a clear diagnosis, the sooner you can start a treatment plan that’s personalized for your body and your situation.

What an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Can Do for Sciatica Pain

An orthopedic surgeon is a specialist trained to treat bone, joint, and nerve problems. They can walk you through your options, starting with the least invasive treatments like prescription medications to reduce inflammation or relieve pain, targeted physical therapy, or injections to calm the nerve. If the pain keeps coming back or gets worse, they may recommend a procedure like a microdiscectomy or lumbar laminectomy to relieve pressure on the nerve and give you long-term relief. 

Where to Find the Best Sciatica Surgeon in Riverside for Effective Pain Relief

When sciatic nerve pain takes over your daily life, you need more than just temporary relief; you need real answers and a personalized treatment plan that works. At our practice, Dr. Babak Khamsi combines advanced medical training, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-first, practical mindset to help you feel like yourself again. 

As a trusted orthopedic spine surgeon serving patients from Riverside, Temecula, and Corona, Dr. Khamsi is known for his careful, evidence-based approach to treating neck and back conditions, especially those involving the sciatic nerve. We always begin with conservative options like physical therapy, aqua therapy, or medication, because we know that surgery isn’t always the first or best answer. 

When surgery is the right step, Dr. Khamsi offers state-of-the-art procedures like microdiscectomy and lumbar laminectomy that are precise, minimally invasive, and often performed in an outpatient setting. Our goal is simple: to get you back to living comfortably, with a plan that fits your body and your lifestyle.

Ready to get effective relief from sciatica pain with the best orthopedic surgeon in Riverside?