Suffering from chronic back pain? It could be sciatica

Back pain is a common problem for a lot of people. It is irritating, unpleasant, and often extremely painful. Sciatica is among the most prevalent forms of back pain.

The term "sciatica" implies pain that originates in the sciatic nerve, the longest and biggest nerve in the body. Sciatica is the term for excruciating pain radiating from lower back down the leg, and sometimes into the foot, caused by a compressed nerve. A herniated disc, sometimes known as a "slipped disc," is a common cause of sciatica. The protruding herniated disc compresses the nerve root that connects the sciatic nerve.

According to Dr Vivek Loomba, Consultant Pain Physician at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, “Many patients suffering from this condition frequently visit the hospital. Those between the ages of 30 to 50 years old are the most common for disc herniations. In fact, men are impacted by the issue nearly twice as often as women”.

Other risk factors that may contribute to Sciatica include obesity or being overweight, lifting heavy objects, insufficient physical activity, repeated bending or twisting motions from work, or hobbies, smoking and prolonged sitting or standing job, and poor back posture.

Symptoms of Sciatica:

• Mild to severe pain
• Back pain
• Lower extremity tingling or numbness
• Loss of control over one's bowels or bladder
• Pain in one or both legs
• Weakness in muscles
• A sharp pain that makes it challenging to get up

Dr. Vivek Loomba says that most of his patients are quite concerned about whether surgery is necessary to treat this condition.


Fortunately, nearly all patients—roughly nine out of ten—will have satisfactory relief via conservative treatments or epidural injections, obviating the need for surgery. However, immediate surgical intervention is required for any patient who exhibits "warning signs" such as weakness in the lower extremities, loss of control over their bowel or bladder, or inability to bear weight.

Treatment of sciatica

To treat Sciatica your pain management physician can prescribe painkillers like ibuprofen, neuropathic medications like gabapentin or pregabalin, antidepressants like amitriptyline, and steroids. Additionally, physiotherapy and back-strengthening exercises can be recommended to improve muscle strength and flexibility.

According to Dr. Vivek Loomba, if the symptoms are still present, an interlaminar or transforaminal epidural steroid injection could be a great way to help reduce them. Targeting the disc herniation spot, a pain management specialist carries out these treatments with the assistance of X-ray guidance. In addition to offering superior pain relief and a proven record of safety, these therapies also assist in preventing the need for surgery.

Surgical techniques such as laminectomy and discectomy may be necessary for certain patients.