Sciatica Specialist
-
- Tweet
Advanced Spine and Pain Specialists
Krishna Chunduri, MD
Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Physician located in Garfield Ridge, Chicago, IL
As much as 40% of the adult population in the United States will experience sciatica pain in their lifetime, especially as they get older. At Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, Krishna Chunduri, MD, offers on-site diagnostic testing services to identify the cause of irritation in your sciatic nerve. Dr. Chunduri also specializes in conservative treatments like steroid injections to provide long-lasting pain relief that makes physical therapy easier. Learn more about available options for treating the low back pain of sciatica by calling Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists or by booking an appointment online today.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain in your lower back that occurs due to irritation in your sciatic nerve. This large nerve travels from your lower spine and down into your hips, legs, and feet, providing sensations to these areas.
Chronic irritation of your sciatic nerve can occur as you get older, and your spine begins to change. You might also be at increased risk for sciatica if you have uncontrolled diabetes that damages your nerve.
Other risk factors for sciatica-related pain include:
- Tumors
- Obesity
- Herniated disc
- Poor posture
- Heavy lifting
- Lack of exercise
Piriformis syndrome, a disorder that causes inflammation in the piriformis muscle that starts in your lower spine and connects to your thigh bone, can also contribute to sciatica.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The hallmark symptom of sciatica is a shock-like pain in your lower back when you make certain movements. This jolting pain can also travel along your sciatic nerve and radiate into your hips, legs, and feet.
The pain of sciatica can begin as a mild ache and gradually increase to a sharp, burning sensation that arises with sudden movements like a cough or sneeze.
When the symptoms of sciatica are too much for you to manage on your own, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists.
How is sciatica treated?
Your treatment plan for sciatica focuses on treating the underlying cause of sciatic nerve irritation. Dr. Chunduri performs a thorough evaluation of your health and uses in-office diagnostic technologies to look at the structures that make up your lower spine.
Based on the results of your testing, Dr. Chunduri customizes your care plan to your needs. If you’re not finding pain relief with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, you might need steroid injections. Injections relieve persistent inflammation that irritates your sciatic nerve and surrounding tissue.
Once you find adequate relief from your pain, Dr. Chunduri might recommend physical therapy to keep pressure off your sciatic nerve and prevent a worsening of your condition.
You don’t have to live with the jolting lower back pain of sciatica. Call Advanced Spine & Pain Specialists to schedule a diagnostic evaluation or book one online today.
