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Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, causing pain that radiates from the lower back down one or both legs. It can also cause numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg, making daily activities like walking, sitting, or bending difficult. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can improve quality of life and prevent further nerve damage.

What causes Sciatica

  • Pinched nerves in the lower back
  • Muscle inflammation pressing on the sciatic nerve
  • Repetitive heavy lifting or poor posture
  • Disc problems, such as herniated discs
  • Injury or trauma to the lower back
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
  • Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)
  • Piriformis syndrome (tight or inflamed piriformis muscle)
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Tumors or abnormal growths compressing the sciatic nerve
  • Infection in the spine (rare but possible)
  • Pregnancy-related pressure on the sciatic nerve
  • Osteoarthritis affecting the spine
  • Inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis
  • Scar tissue from previous surgeries or injuries
  • Leg length discrepancies causing uneven spinal stress

Risk factors

  • Age-related degeneration of spinal discs
  • Sedentary lifestyle or weak core muscles
  • Obesity increasing spine stress
  • Poor posture at work or during sleep
  • Jobs requiring long periods of sitting
  • Previous lower back injuries
  • Genetics affecting spinal health
  • Smoking reducing blood flow and slowing disc healing
  • High-impact sports or repetitive athletic activities
  • Diabetes or metabolic conditions affecting nerve health
  • Heavy manual labor without proper technique
  • Chronic stress leading to muscle tension
  • Improper lifting techniques
  • Wearing high heels frequently (affecting posture)
  • Vitamin D or calcium deficiency weakening bones

Symptoms

  • Pain radiating from lower back down the leg
  • Sharp, shooting pain along the sciatic nerve
  • Numbness or tingling in legs or feet
  • Muscle weakness in lower back or legs
  • Pain worsening with sitting, bending, or twisting
  • Temporary relief from medication, but persistent discomfort
  • Difficulty performing daily activities
  • Burning or tingling sensations in the leg
  • Cramping or spasms in the hamstring or calf
  • Difficulty standing up straight or maintaining posture
  • Pain triggered by coughing or sneezing
  • Reduced reflexes in the knee or ankle
  • Foot drop (difficulty lifting the front part of the foot)
  • Trouble walking long distances
  • Sleep disturbances due to leg pain

Locations We Serve for Sciatica Treatment

We provide expert sciatica treatment and specialized care for patients in Flushing, Queens, Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, and surrounding areas across New York.

Queens Flushing Bayside Fresh Meadows Whitestone Little Neck Great Neck College Point Oakland Gardens Jackson Heights Douglaston Glen Oaks Forest Hills

Treatment

Treatments range from conservative treatment to surgery. Our goal is to provide you with the best treatment plan to reduce pain, but these treatments do not change the underlying source of pain. Medical treatments are often used in combination such as: medications, physical therapy programs, and injection therapy.

Epidural Injections

Treats radiating pain; deposit the medication, typically steroids in the epidural space of the spine.

Nerve root block injections

Targets a specific spinal nerve and deposit medication around the nerve at the point where it exits the intervertebral foramen (bony opening between adjacent vertebrae).

Facet joint injections

Treat pain stemming from a specific facet joint.

Medial branch blocks

Deposit medication around the medial branches of spinal nerves. The medial branch is a nerve that sends pain signals to the brain from an arthritic facet joint. An injection directed around the medial branch can relieve neck and lower back pain.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Treats pain by lesioning  medial branch nerves of the facet  joints.