Sciatica Specialist

Firshein Center

Richard Firshein, D.O.

Integrative Medicine & Family Medicine located in Manhattan, Upper East Side, NY

If you’re one of the 40% of people with sciatica pain, you don’t have to suffer in silence. At the Firshein Center on the Manhattan of Upper East Side, Dr. Richard Firshein brings an innovative balance of proven Eastern and Western practices to treating painful nerve conditions caused by inflammation, like sciatica. To learn how integrative medicine can relieve your sciatica symptoms and restore your health, call the Firshein Center, or schedule an appointment online today.

212-860-0282

Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica describes a collection of painful symptoms that occur when your sciatic nerve becomes inflamed.

You have two sciatic nerves that connect your spinal cord to your feet and leg muscles. Each one begins on the lower side of your spine before running through your buttocks, into your leg, and ending in your foot.

If the sciatic nerve grows inflamed, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms, like pain, tingling, and numbness. Sciatica is typically easy to diagnose because these sensations radiate from your lower back into your buttock, hip and down your leg, as they follow your sciatic nerve.

Sciatica symptoms only affect one side of your body. Your symptoms can vary from mild to severe and often seem sharp, burning, or similar to electrical shocks. Most people find that certain movements, like sneezing, coughing, or sitting for long periods make their symptoms worse.

When left untreated, sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage.

What causes sciatica?

You can develop inflammation of your sciatic nerve for several reasons, but common causes include pinched nerves from herniated discs or bone spurs on your vertebrae.

Several factors can increase your chances of having sciatica, such as:

Sitting for extended periods of time
Having a sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight or obese
Suffering from conditions like diabetes

Your risks of sciatica might also increase if you have a job that requires a lot of heavy lifting, long periods of driving, or a lot of back twisting. All of these actions can irritate your sciatic nerve and lead to inflammation that triggers sciatica symptoms.

How is sciatica treated?

Dr. Firshein brings a holistic approach to treating sciatica inflammation, and your visit begins before you step into the office.

Based on the cause of your sciatica, he might recommend a variety of sciatica therapies, including:

Hot and cold compress therapy
Massage therapy or osteopathic manipulation
Lifestyle changes, like improving your posture
Nutritional counseling for weight management
Trigger point injections, like lidocaine or anti-inflammatory

Your sciatica treatment might also include physical therapy or a variety of specialized exercises and stretching to improve your back health.

To find relief for your sciatica symptoms, call the Firshein Center, or schedule an appointment online today.