TL;DR
Sciatica is nerve pain that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and leg. Most cases improve without surgery once the cause is identified and the irritated nerve is calmed.
- Sciatica usually comes from a disc or nearby structure pressing on the sciatic nerve.
- Most sciatica is treated without surgery, using physical therapy, targeted injections, and advanced non-surgical modalities.
- See a doctor if the pain is severe, lasts more than a few weeks, or comes with numbness or weakness.
- We treat sciatica across Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and Monsey, and accept many plans including Medicaid managed care.
Few things wear you down like sciatica. The pain runs from your lower back into your buttock and down your leg, and it can turn sitting, standing, and sleeping into a struggle. The reassuring part is that most sciatica gets better without surgery.
What is sciatica, and what causes it?
Sciatica is pain along the path of the sciatic nerve, the large nerve that runs from your lower back down each leg. It usually starts when a disc, bone spur, or tight muscle presses on or irritates the nerve. Because the source varies, the right treatment for one person is not the same as for another. You can read more on our sciatica page.
When should you see a doctor for sciatica?
Get evaluated if the pain is severe, has lasted more than a few weeks, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot. Sciatica that follows an injury, or that affects your bladder or bowel, needs prompt attention. An assessment finds the cause and points to the right treatment.
How is sciatica treated without surgery?
Most patients improve with a non-surgical, drug-free plan. Depending on what is irritating the nerve, that can include physical therapy to relieve pressure and rebuild support, precise ultrasound-guided injections to calm the inflamed area, and advanced modalities such as shockwave therapy. Because sciatica often starts in the spine, we also look at your lower back.
What to expect at our practice
We are a physician-led practice, so a doctor evaluates your leg and back pain first, identifies the likely source, and starts with the least invasive approach that fits your case. We explain your options in plain language, and if something outside our scope would serve you better, we say so.
Do you accept my insurance?
We work with many plans, including Medicaid managed care, Healthfirst, Fidelis Care, MetroPlus, and Medicare. If you are not sure whether your plan is covered, contact us and we will check before your visit.
Frequently asked questions
Will sciatica go away on its own?
Many milder cases ease over time, but pain that lingers or radiates strongly usually needs treatment to resolve fully and to prevent it coming back. An assessment tells you where you stand.
Do I need surgery for sciatica?
Most people do not. Surgery is a last resort, and non-surgical care resolves or greatly improves the majority of cases.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on the cause and how long the pain has been present. We give you a clear plan after your evaluation.
Is there a location near me?
We see patients across Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and Monsey. Reach the location nearest you and we will get you scheduled.
Take the next step on your sciatica
You do not have to keep bracing against the pain down your leg. If sciatica has been holding on, a non-surgical assessment is the place to start.
Ready to get real relief?
Our physician-led team assesses your pain and builds a non-surgical, drug-free plan that fits you.
Serving Brooklyn, the Five Towns, and Monsey.
