What Doctor to See for Sciatica: A Detailed Guide for You -

Most people are unaware of what is sciatica and how it happens. As they are ignorant about this condition, they also don’t know how to get it treated and what doctor to see for sciatica. This condition actually involves nerve pain. It is caused when inflammation or compression affects the nerves that run down your lower back. In other words, sciatica is a nerve pain that you feel in your legs.

According to a study, 40% of people experience sciatic nerve pain in their life, and it becomes more frequent as you age.

Most of the time, sciatica gets better on its own. However, if the pain persists, you should go see a doctor. But the question here arises: what doctor to see for sciatica? You may not know the answer to this. After all, there are so many specialists in the field who treat neck and lower back pain. Here, in this blog, we are going to address this question so you can easily choose the best specialist for your condition.

What is Sciatica?

Before moving on to addressing the main question – what doctor to see for sciatica – you should first know what sciatica is. It happens because of injury or irritation in the sciatic nerve. This condition is characterized by pain that originates from the sciatic nerve. It also leads to numbness in your lower back or but area. The symptoms of sciatica are mostly mild. But the condition can also get severe. Moreover, detecting sciatica pain is not that easy. Therefore, most of the time people misunderstand it as normal pain and ignore it.

“People who suffer from acute or chronic back pain tend to be more susceptible to sciatica,” says Dr. Jeffrey N. Katz

What Doctor To See For Sciatica?

Now let’s address the main question: what doctor to see for sciatica? There are so many specialists in the field and many of them specialize in treating sciatica. After all, sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back and leg. I am listing some types of doctors below who specialize in treating sciatica. You can choose the right one per your condition and severity of pain. Moreover, you can use this as your guide when you are searching for what doctor to see for sciatica.

General Practitioners

Your general practitioner will not treat your sciatica. He is not skilled or certified to do so. But still going to him when you first experience sciatica pain can be very beneficial. How? Because your general doctor will help you with

An Initial assessment of your condition

Referring a suitable specialist

Yes, that’s right! They will assess your condition and may detect the correct root cause for it. After this initial diagnosis, he will suggest the best treatment method and what type of doctor to consult. Apart from this, he will also recommend some reliable professionals in the field whom you can trust for treatment. Also, your general doctor can give you suggestions about lifestyle changes. These changes with eventually help you avoid future risks of sciatica.

Chiropractors

Chiropractors are licensed healthcare professionals who are trained to treat conditions related to bones, muscles, and joints. They are also skilled in helping patients manage back and spinal pain. Many patients are caused by compression in the lower spine. So, seeking chiropractic treatment can be beneficial. Moreover, this procedure is non-surgical yet super effective. A chiropractor usually begins by diagnosis through x-rays and then assessing the best course of action. They use the following techniques for the treatment of sciatica:

Spinal Manipulation

Manual Therapy

Exercises and Stretches

Pain Management Specialists

When you are searching for what doctor to see for sciatica, you can also opt for pain management specialists. After all, these professionals are skilled at diagnosing and treating different types of pain. No matter the source of the pain, they can help you get rid of it. Sciatica pain mostly goes away on its own. However, if it worsens, it can cause discomfort and disrupt your quality of life. Therefore, treating it on time is necessary. Here is how these specialists can help you:

Thorough diagnosis	Prescribing medication
Suggest Spinal Injections	Administer nerve blocks

Orthopedists

Are you searching for what doctor to see for sciatica? Well, you can see an orthopedist. They are certified specialists who help with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, they can deal with any problem in your neck, hips, hands, knees, shoulder and back, etc. This is why they are a great choice for those who experience sciatica due to lower back issues. They will start by conducting a thorough evaluation to see which type of treatment is needed: non-surgical or surgical treatment.

Non-Surgical Solutions

Surgical Solutions

Non-surgical treatments include:

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Muscle relaxants
Proper Rest

Surgical solutions for hernia may include the removal of

herniated disk
bone spur
tumor

Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons are specialists who deal with all sorts of conditions related to the nervous system. As sciatica is a nerve-related condition, seeing these professionals for your condition can be very beneficial. They begin the procedure by accurately diagnosing sciatica through various tests. Based on the diagnosis, your surgeon will suggest the best course of action. Going to a neurosurgeon is specifically beneficial for those dealing with severe sciatic nerve pain.

Conclusion

Finding what doctor to see for sciatica is a difficult task. It is so because there are so many options available in the field. However, you should begin by seeing your general doctor. They will help you with the initial diagnosis and can refer you to the right type of doctor to see. This guide provides you with an overview of different specialists who can treat sciatica. You can choose the right one per your condition and the recommendation of your general specialist.