Question 1

why would i need an epidural for sciatic leg pain?

Accepted Answer

Sciatica: Epidurals are effective in treating sciatic type pain.  The nerve causing your pain, like all nerves of the body, originates from the spine.  An epidural placed in the right location in the spine can produce long term relief.

Question 2

can you tell me how sciatic leg pain is different from leg claudication?

Accepted Answer

Nerve vs. Blood Flow: Sciatic pain is due to compression and inflammation of the nerve roots which give rise to the sciatic nerve. It comes on at rest while sitting and the pain usually starts in the buttocks and radiates down the leg. Claudication pain is due to blockages in the arteries and results in leg muscle cramping with exercise. This resolves with rest. An arterial ultrasound can help differentiate.

Question 3

how do i get therapeutic massage for my sciatic lower back/leg pain and stress covered by my health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Good Luck with that.: I know massage therapists that provide this service for patients at doctors offices. They are paid at the time of service. The insurance is then billed. It is extremely rare that the insurance company pays anything.

Question 4

sciatic leg pain/groin pain-please help?

Accepted Answer

Seeing your PCP wou-: Ld be advisable, as she/he starts the process of evaluation/investigations/treatments.
Pain meds + rest + heating pad would all help. The pinched nerve causing the sciatica by the disc will settle down and symptoms subside, or if not, then pt/exercises, steroid epidural shots might be helpful. If still not better, then a referral to a spinal surgeon might be necessary.
Good luck.

Question 5

i want 2 try an inversion table 2 relieve my sciatic leg pain. are there any risks i should be aware of first? can it really help?

Accepted Answer

Temporary relief: Inversion table gives temp relief but not long term benefit.It can raise your blood pressure, pressure in the eyes .So if you suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure or glaucoma, than you should not use inversion table.

Question 6

how does acupuncture help pain management for severe back/leg pain with sciatic pain?

Accepted Answer

Very helpful: Acupuncture is excellent for that, especially in combination with other alternative treatments like aromatherapy, hydrotherapy ( baths), ......

Question 7

chronic leg pain sciatic n thigh/butt. had 2 cortisone shots. pain is gone. been 3 wks. dr said i had bursitis. what does this mean if shot helped?

Accepted Answer

Cortisone works!: Cortico-steroids are life saving drugs that are used to reduce acute inflammation. It can truly be a miracle drug, but unfortunately riddled with side effects and uncomfortable long term signs and symptoms: the fact that it worked may not be diagnostic for bursitis, though very possible. Prolonged use shuts  your adrenals from working and weight gain, facial swelling, insomnia & many probs ensue.

Question 8

back pain, groin pain, leg pain could this be sciatic nerve and how can one treat it?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The groin pain could also be from your hip joint but the back and leg pain is most likely sciatica.  Best way to reduce back pain is to be as light as you can (optimal weight) be as fit as you can (high level of fitness with good core muscle strength) and don't smoke. The intermittent use of anti-inflammatory medications will help as well.  An epidural injection is also very effective.

Question 9

how can i tell if my l side sciatic px is from piriformis syndrome or herniated disk? the pain intensity varies & at time only in my l low back/buttock. when i have leg pain to my left foot goes cold.

Accepted Answer

Sometimes : It's very difficult to differentiate between those two. A good physical exam and history necessary. Avoid positions that worse the pain.  An MRI sometimes necessary to r/o hnp. Ice, rest and stretching exercises will improved a piriformis syndrome. Also the use of nsaids meds sometimes indicated. Can take long. I went through ps symptoms in the past. Good luck.

Question 10

mri :lumbar radiculopathy l4-5, s1, edematous sciatic nerve. severe leg pain. epidurals not helping. do i f?

Accepted Answer

Question cut off: Your question cut off but if you had epidurals, physical therapy, and meds and you are still suffering, you can get a surgical opinion. Ask your doctor about who is a good spine surgeon in your area-- many are not quick to cut.  Good luck.

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Doctor answers about:

How to fix sciatic leg pain

A member asked:

Why would i need an epidural for sciatic leg pain?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how sciatic leg pain is different from leg claudication?

A member asked:

How do i get therapeutic massage for my sciatic lower back/leg pain and stress covered by my health insurance?

A member asked:

Sciatic leg pain/groin pain-please help?

A member asked:

I want 2 try an inversion table 2 relieve my sciatic leg pain. are there any risks i should be aware of first? can it really help?

A member asked:

How does acupuncture help pain management for severe back/leg pain with sciatic pain?

A member asked:

Chronic leg pain sciatic n thigh/butt. had 2 cortisone shots. pain is gone. been 3 wks. dr said i had bursitis. what does this mean if shot helped?

A member asked:

Back pain, groin pain, leg pain could this be sciatic nerve and how can one treat it?

A member asked:

How can i tell if my l side sciatic px is from piriformis syndrome or herniated disk? the pain intensity varies & at time only in my l low back/buttock. when i have leg pain to my left foot goes cold.

A member asked:

Mri :lumbar radiculopathy l4-5, s1, edematous sciatic nerve. severe leg pain. epidurals not helping. do i f?

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