Skip to main content
person suffering from sciatica nerve pain

Answering Your Questions about Sciatica Pain Treatment

Manhattan Sciatica Pain Specialist Dr. Miro answers some questions he gets from prospective clients interested in Sciatica Pain Relief Treatment and other painful conditions.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe a set of pain symptoms that affect the lower back, hip, and leg. It is also used to describe back pain during pregnancy from the pressure of the growing baby as it moves into birth position.

What Causes Sciatica Pain?

Spinal nerve compression causes sciatic pain. Spinal disk disorders put pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain to travel down the lower back to one leg. Most often, sciatica causes are age-related from general wear and tear of the spine over time. A job that requires heavy lifting or prolonged sitting may also play a role in spinal pressures that trigger sciatic pain

More specific conditions that contribute to sciatic nerve pain include:

  • Degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis
  • Herniated disc, bulging disc, or slipped disc
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Muscle spasms in hip and buttocks
  • Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy
  • Nerve damage from injury or infection
  • Pinched nerve
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Pregnancy
  • Spinal and pelvic misalignments
How Do You Relieve Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica relief is tricky because flare-ups can occur at any time. If you suffer from sciatica pain, here are several pain relief solutions to try at home:

  • Low-impact exercise like walking, swimming, or yoga (but, avoid these movements
  • Apply a hot or cold compress to the affected area, using heat before physical activity and cold after.
  • Distract yourself so the brain has something else to focus on besides the pain. Try meditating, watching a movie, or getting into a deep conversation with a friend.
  • Improve your posture when sitting, standing, or walking. You can even buy shoes to help with this.

Keep in mind that everyone is different, so experiment with sciatic relief techniques until you find a remedy that’s right for you. If, however, sciatic pain persists see a doctor as soon as possible.

What Are Sciatica Pain Symptoms?

Sciatica pain symptoms vary depending on where the nerve compresses. It’s often described as a sharp pain, tingling, or numbness felt on one side of the body on the leg and/or foot.

Someone with sciatica pain has a difficult time getting comfortable. When sitting and sleeping, they’ll often change positions to ease the pain. Sciatic nerve pain can worsen when you sneeze, sit down, stand up, or bend over. Unfortunately, the pain is most severe at night.

What Are the Treatment Options For Sciatica?

Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed muscle relaxers will help mild sciatic pain.

Physical Therapy: If sciatica symptoms last more than a couple of weeks, we recommend physical therapy. Proper exercise and spine alignment will help ease and possibly prevent sciatic pain from coming back. Using sciatica symptoms and lifestyle factors as a road map, most doctors can diagnose the exact cause of pain.

Dr. Miro offers these specific hands-on treatments:

Surgery: Those who have severe sciatica associated with excruciating pain, leg weakness, or bowel/bladder changes may need injections or surgery.

What Happens If I Don't Treat Sciatica?

Without treatment, sciatica can lead to increased pain, long-term nerve damage, and bladder issues. It will take longer for pain, numbness, and weakness to dissipate, and may become permanent. If you experience mild sciatic pain, it usually resolves itself within 1 to 2 weeks, but seek treatment if the pain persists.

How Do You Prevent Sciatica?
  • Support your spine whenever possible with the right office chair, back pillow, mattress, and bed pillow.
  • Minimize stress on your spine and hips with regular movement and stretching exercises.
  • Exercise regularly and stay active, but avoid these movements to prevent further pain.
  • Seek conservative treatment at the onset of sciatic nerve pain.
How Long Does Sciatica Treatment Last?

In most cases, sciatica resolves within 4 to 6 weeks of treatment. However, it can depend on the pain level and cause of the sciatica flare-up.

When Should I See A Doctor For Sciatica Pain?

Call your doctor if sciatica pain lasts longer than 3 weeks, self-care measures fail to ease symptoms, or the pain becomes worse. Seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have sudden, severe pain in your low back or leg and numbness or muscle weakness in your leg.
  • Pain follows a violent injury, such as a car accident.
  • You have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder.

Manhattan Sports Therapy is a state-of-the-art facility located in New York City. Our clients range from professional athletes to everyday New Yorkers. We are proud to offer the latest techniques and treatments for the benefit of our valued patients. If you are interested in learning more about sciatica pain treatment in NYC, please call to schedule an appointment or contact us online.

To learn more about our services, call our sports medicine doctor in NYC today at (212) 310 0100.

Schedule Your Appointment

Call (212) 310-0100 Book Now

Happy Patients View More Testimonials

Pam L.

Having performed surgery for decades my neck And back have been damaged. I can honestly say that Rachel has kept me functioning at a high level. Nobody else was. Despite being a surgical candidate which is refused to have she managed to overcome all of my problems. The office is also immaculately clean ( I am a germaphobe). Chiro in the past was hit or miss. Sometimes it helped and sometimes it actually made things worse. This has never happened with Rachel. I always feel better. Guaranteed. She will bend over backwards to accommodate my schedule. She is a rising star.

Will A.

The entire staff is very helpful, kind, and extremely efficient. If it wasn't for Dr. Rolland Miro I strongly feel the bursitis in my shoulder would still be in major pain. If you have shoulder pain, rotator cuff issues, or bursitis don't hesitate, RUN to see this man! I came to Manhattan Sports Therapy skeptical because I had already visited two other physical therapist who were not getting me better. I had pain for 9 months until visiting MST. Miro was patient with my healing process and was always transparent when telling me what stages I was in my recovery. Now I am fully recovered back to pumping iron and putting on a backpack without pain. Thank you to everyone in that office for making my experience great from start to finish.

Natalie V.

I was having severe inner hip and lower back pain for months. Every step I took was painful. I couldn't run, bike, swim or even attempt a workout. I started seeing a PT twice a week for a month and nothing happened, in fact, my pain increased. So, I decided to try another Physician and I found Manhattan Sports Therapy and Dr. Rolland Miro. After my first appointment, I knew I made the right choice. I started seeing Dr. Rolland twice a week. After my first week, I could already feel a HUGE difference. After week three, the pain in my hip was completely gone. It's now been two months and as I continue my treatment, I'm feeling better and better. I ran five miles for the first time in over a year last week! I highly highly recommend Dr. Rolland. He's the best at what he does and he's very knowledgable when it comes to health and fitness all around.

logo Manhattan Sports Therapy New York, NY

635 Madison Ave, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022

Verify Insurance Phone: (212) 310-0100 Schedule An Appointment