Lumbar Radiculopathy/Sciatica Treatment in New Jersey

The sciatic nerve consists of the spine’s L4 and S2 nerve roots, which fuse to create a large nerve that travels from the lower back and buttocks and down each leg. Pressure on this nerve can cause significant pain, numbness, and swelling in your lower back, hips, or legs. Sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy treatment is often necessary to address the chronic back or leg pain that occurs due to sciatica symptoms. 

If you’re looking for effective, minimally invasive sciatica treatment in New Jersey, contact our professionals at NJ Pain Care Specialists. Our experienced medical professionals work closely with our patients to develop the best individualized treatment plans to reduce or eliminate back pain. Here, we discuss sciatica pain and common treatments. 

What Is Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Lumbar radiculopathy is another way to describe lower back pain caused by sciatica. The lumbar spine vertebra carries the most weight and stress, making it most likely to develop an injury. According to Medscape, nearly 5% of the U.S. population experience lumbar radiculopathy, with up to 25% of those affected experiencing symptoms that last over six weeks. 

What Are Common Sciatica Symptoms?

Since the sciatic nerve stretches from the lumbar spine to the foot, you could experience pain in your lower back. Still, the pain could worsen when you sit or stand for a long time because of the nerve’s compression. The pain could be sharp and periodic or dull and persistent. 

Other symptoms of sciatica are:

• Tingling, numbness, or weakness in your buttocks or one leg
• Discomfort when you stand and walk
• Pain in your buttocks and one leg
• Problems moving the affected leg or foot
• Muscle spasms in the lower back
• Loss of motion
• Muscle weakness

What Can Cause Sciatica?

Roughly 90% of people with sciatica have the condition due to herniated discs and nerve root compression, pinching, inflammation, and irritation in the lower back, according to PubMed Central. Other causes include:

• Muscle spasms that put undue stress on the peripheral nerve
• Degenerative joint diseases like facet joint syndrome or spinal stenosis that cause the intervertebral spaces to narrow and pinch the exiting nerve
• Activities or sports involving constant bending, lifting, or twisting
• A sedentary lifestyle

You can develop the condition whether you live an active or passive lifestyle. According to Harvard Health Publishing, about 40% of people will experience sciatica at least once in their lifetime, with the problem becoming more prevalent with age.

People the most at risk of experiencing sciatic pain are individuals between ages 30 and 50. Diabetes, obesity, and extensive physical labor increase the risk of lumbar radiculopathy.

What Is the Best Treatment for Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Medication

Lumbar radiculopathy treatment often includes anti-inflammatory drugs and prescribed muscle relaxants. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the medications doctors prescribe the most often to treat sciatica. However, Forbes reports that nerve medicines like Neurontin (gabapentin) can minimize nerve pain.

Physical Therapy

Some people with lumbar radiculopathy find physiotherapy to be effective for treating their sciatic nerve pain. The treatment includes targeted stretches, exercises, and hands-on approaches like deep tissue massages to stretch leg and back muscles while building core strength. Physical therapy promotes the recovery of muscle spasms due to sciatica and can prevent symptoms from worsening. 

If you start physiotherapy to treat sciatica, your initial appointments should be conservative to prevent further nerve irritation. You’d need plenty of rest as inflammation in your affected areas decreases. With a decline in inflammation, you can begin improving your spine strength and stability through physical activity. 

Epidural Steroid Injections

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, an epidural corticosteroid injection is a way to deliver pain medication quickly to an affected area via a syringe to provide short-term relief. A medical professional injects the medication into the epidural area, which covers the spinal cord. 

You might need an epidural steroid injection if your sciatic pain is too intense for over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Still, the pain relief can make it more bearable to undergo other treatments like physical therapy to improve your condition. 

Spinal Manipulations

A popular lumbar radiculopathy treatment is spinal manipulation through chiropractic care. Many people use spinal adjustments as a way to effectively reduce or stop sciatic symptoms without relying on medication or opting for surgery. According to a 2015 systematic review of chiropractic treatment for back pain, spinal manipulation can provide some pain relief.

Get Relief From Your Sciatica Symptoms With Help From a NJ Pain Management Doctor

With NJ Pain Care Specialists providing your lumbar radiculopathy treatment at one of our three convenient clinic locations in New Jersey, you can get the pain relief you need. Our board-certified founder, Dr. Harris Bram, and caring, experienced team have state-of-the-art facilities and extensive training to quickly diagnose, treat, and control chronic back and neck pain. 

We offer minimally invasive procedures and thorough patient evaluations. Call NJ Pain Care Specialists today at (732) 720-0247 to schedule an appointment. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection); same-day appointments may be available. 

See how epidural steroid injections can help herniated discs, then give us a call.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lumbar Radiculopathy

Can Sciatica Symptoms Go Away on Their Own?

Though sciatica symptoms can improve on their own, many people experience an improvement in their symptoms after six to 12 weeks of treatment, if not sooner. However, the timeline for sciatica relief depends on the severity of the problem and the treatments you have. 

Is There a Difference Between Sciatica and Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is an umbrella term for the symptoms of a pinched nerve in the spinal column. Sciatica is the most common form of radiculopathy, and it describes lower back pain from the sciatic nerve that starts in the lower back and goes down the buttocks to one or both legs. 

What’s the Main Cause of Lumbar Radiculopathy?

The main cause of lumbar radiculopathy is the compression of nerves from trauma, inflammation, or overworking your body. 

Can You Experience Additional Problems If You Don’t Treat Lumbar Radiculopathy?

Yes. The longer you go without lumbar radiculopathy treatment, the more you risk permanent damage to your back or nerves.