Sciatica describes pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through the hip and buttock and down the back of one leg. It’s most often triggered by a herniated or bulging disc in the lumbar spine pressing on a nerve root, though spinal stenosis and degenerative disc changes can produce similar symptoms.
Common symptoms include sharp, burning, or electric-shock-like pain on one side of the body, numbness or tingling that follows the path of the nerve, and weakness in the leg or foot that can make standing or walking difficult. Pain often worsens with prolonged sitting, coughing, or sudden movement.
At Today I Have No Pain, evaluation starts with a detailed history and physical exam to confirm the nerve root involved and rule out other causes. Depending on severity, treatment may include a diagnostic and therapeutic epidural steroid injection to reduce inflammation around the affected nerve, selective nerve root blocks to pinpoint and treat the specific level involved, or a broader multidisciplinary plan that combines injections with physical therapy and medication management. For patients with more advanced disc degeneration, radiofrequency ablation or other interventional techniques may be considered once conservative options have been explored.
Most patients see meaningful relief within one to two visits, though the right plan depends on the severity and duration of symptoms. Dr. Serpa and the care team will walk you through what’s actually causing your pain and what a realistic treatment timeline looks like before recommending next steps.