If you find yourself suffering from back pain, know you are not alone and reside in a cohort with 65 million other Americans. Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work and due to improper lifting techniques- one of the most common work related injuries.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Many different factors can cause your pain but if you find yourself suffering with pain in your lower back and into your leg, this may be caused by pressure on your sciatic nerve resulting in extreme pain.
Factors causing sciatic pain include:
- Pregnancy
- Herniated disc(s)
- Spinal stenosis
- Muscles spasms in your buttocks
- A bone spur
Symptoms to look for:
Pain is often only felt on one side of the body. The tell tale sign of a sciatic nerve problem is numbness and weakness that can begin in your lower back and travel down to your leg.
The problem with sciatic nerve pain is that the pain can be minimal to extremely painful. Some feel just a mild pain where others can be almost debilitated by the sharp burning feeling down the leg. Oftentimes the pain increases after remaining stagnant for a period of time and even something simple as a cough or sneeze can send the pain shooting down through your leg.
When to call a physician?
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please reach out to one of our Atlanta Orthopedic doctors to help you in finding relief.
First, try resting for a few days to help with the pain. Icing and heat are always options and be sure to use the method of 20 minutes on and then taking a break but repeat as needed throughout the day but be mindful that this should only be a solution for a few days. Stretching can also help reduce the symptoms as can over the counter medicine such as Ibuprofen.
When you have exhausted all the treatments, and have had the pain for several weeks, we would like to see you at AICA Orthopedics for a consultation.
If you experience any of these more severe symptoms, seek medical attention right away:
- Pain in the back accompanied by numbness and weakness in the legs.
- Trouble walking
- Loss of bladder/bowel control
- If you have been in an accident and feeling above symptoms
Orthopedic Treatment Available In Atlanta
The first step in treatment is start with medicine and possibly even physical therapy. Your physician can prescribe medication to reduce the inflammation that is causing the pain and with the help of the physical therapy, stretch out the muscles that are inflamed. In some cases, steroid injections may be suggested and possibly even surgery.
If you are concerned you may be suffering from sciatic nerve pain, our Atlanta orthopedic doctors can provide you with information and guidance in reducing the pain. Please call us today at (404) 855-2141 today!
