When to See a Doctor With Your Sciatica?

Addressing sciatica symptoms early on improves both surgical and conservative therapy outcomes. 

Some symptoms need to be addressed even sooner. The so-called cauda equina syndrome necessitates immediate consultation with a specialist. This syndrome develops when several nerve roots are squeezed, which can cause incontinence, leg weakness, and buttock numbness. Google “sciatica specialist near me” if you notice discomfort as follows.

4 Signs You Should See a Doctor for Sciatica Pain Relief

To proactively address your sciatica symptoms, you must be aware of the frequent signals that it is time to consult a doctor for pain relief.

1. Your symptoms are really acute

If you have significant sciatica symptoms, it is probably time to contact a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Wondering how to distinguish between mild and severe symptoms? Mild soreness running down the leg (along the sciatic nerve) and into the foot is a typical sciatica symptom. 

Examples of more severe symptoms (that likely require medical care for relief) are:

• Sudden, intense pain and/or weakness down your leg;
• Unexplained loss of bladder or bowel functions;
• Difficulty elevating your foot, numbness, or weakness;
• Significant difficulty walking and performing normal everyday tasks;
• Total loss of balance and/or fine motor skills.

If you encounter any of these symptoms, see your doctor. They will be able to assess your problem and, if necessary, refer you to a spine expert or physical therapist.

2. Symptoms have lasted more than a few weeks

Mild sciatica usually resolves on its own over time. Sciatica symptoms improve in about three out of every four persons after a few weeks. However, if your symptoms persist and worsen over time, it's definitely time to consult a doctor and discuss your treatment choices.

Acute sciatica has the potential to progress to chronic sciatica if not treated within a fair amount of time. If you've been suffering with sciatica symptoms for more than a few weeks, you're unlikely to get relief without conservative therapy or surgery.

3. Sciatica develops as a result of stress or damage

While the majority of sciatica instances (90 percent) are caused by a lumbar herniated disc, some patients get symptoms after an accident or traumatic event. It is unclear if the trauma caused the disc herniation or if symptoms developed after an asymptomatic disease became symptomatic. If your sciatica symptoms appear after an accident or injury, you should get medical attention right once to discover the reason and the best treatment option.

This is also true for injured sportsmen who suffer from sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disc. A variety of sports and high-impact activities, including weight lifting, gymnastics, and contact sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse, can cause lumbar disc herniation. In addition to knowing how to prevent lumbar disc injuries, such as proper lifting techniques and using the right shoes and protective gear, athletes should seek medical attention if an injury occurs.

4. You have exhausted all other possibilities

If you've tried more conservative therapies at home and had no results, you should consult a doctor to learn about your alternative options. Some examples of effective conservative (or "self-care") treatments you can try at home are:

• Over-the-counter painkillers;
• Gentle workouts and stretching;
• Ice and heat therapy;
• Relaxation techniques;
• Improving posture and habits.

That being said, if you try several strategies for at-home sciatica pain alleviation and have little to no results, do not put off obtaining medical assistance. Instead, take the following step and reduce your chances of receiving an adverse treatment outcome by presenting it to a medical professional sooner rather than later.

Making the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment

To get the most out of your doctor's visit, try compiling a list of questions about your health and treatment. It is also beneficial to keep a pain diary that records the symptoms you are experiencing, as well as their frequency and severity. This way, your physician will have an accurate record of your symptoms and how they have progressed over time.

To evaluate and diagnose the cause of your sciatica, which could be lumbar disc herniation, piriformis syndrome, lumbar spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or spondylolisthesis, your doctor will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and most likely perform medical imaging tests.