Are you battling sciatica pain? This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lower back down the legs) becomes pinched, resulting in pain and numbness. While anyone can develop sciatica, athletes are at a higher risk. At MAPS, we offer personalized sciatica pain treatments designed to deliver long-term relief. Let’s take a closer look at the link between sports and sciatica and how our team can help you.

Understanding Sports-Related Sciatica: Causes and Symptoms

When left unaddressed, sciatica can impede mobility and disrupt your daily life. It’s common for athletes to develop the condition due to the following reasons:

  • Muscle strain: Certain sports overwork or strain muscles in the lower back or glutes, which can cause sciatic nerve irritation.
  • Herniated disc: High-impact sports such as football and basketball can cause a disc in the lower spine to slip or herniate, pressing on the sciatic nerve and causing pain.
  • Piriformis syndrome: Activities such as running or jumping can tighten the piriformis muscle and compress the sciatic nerve.
  • Trauma or injury: Direct injuries, such as a fall or collision, may damage the spine and surrounding tissues.

After developing sciatica, you might notice a sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down through one or both legs. You may also experience numbness, tingling and weakness.

Lifestyle Changes and Ergonomics: Managing Sciatica Pain in the Chicago Area

If you’re struggling with sports-related sciatica, lifestyle changes can help. Here are some methods that may provide pain relief for sciatica:

  • Regular exercise: Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming and yoga help strengthen the core and support the spine.
  • Healthy diet: A balanced diet helps maintain a healthy weight, which relieves excess pressure on the lower back.
  • Ergonomic adjustments: Creating an ergonomic workspace promotes spinal alignment. This includes using chairs with proper lumbar support and adjusting your desk height so that your arms are at a 90-degree angle.
  • Proper footwear: Cushioned, supportive shoes with good arch support help reduce stress on the lower back.

While some patients find relief through these methods, others may still struggle with sciatica. In these cases, you might benefit from more advanced procedures.

Advanced Procedures for Sciatica Relief: Innovative Treatments

Looking for more professional sciatica pain treatment? At MAPS, we specialize in high-quality, non-surgical solutions. Our treatments include the following:

  • Lumbar and Cervical Injections: Target the lower back or neck to alleviate sciatic pain
  • Epidural Steroid Injections: Inject corticosteroids into the epidural space around the spinal cord to reduce nerve inflammation
  • Sacroiliac Joint Injections: Inject anti-inflammatory medications into the sacroiliac joint (which is located by the base of the spine)
  • Trigger Point Injections: Relieve muscle pain by targeting tender muscle knots (or trigger points)
  • Lumbar Sympathetic Block: Numbs nerves in the lower back
  • Interscalene and Intercostal Blocks: Uses nerve blocks to relieve pain in the shoulders (interscalene) or ribs (intercostal)
  • Radiofrequency Ablation: Uses heat generated by radiofrequency energy to destroy nerve fibers that carry pain signals
  • Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation: Uses electrical impulses to block pain signals from reaching the brain
  • Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty: Use bone cement to stabilize fractures in the spine
  • Disc Decompression: Relieves pressure on the spinal nerves by removing or reducing disc material

In addition to these innovative treatments, we offer physical therapy programs to strengthen muscles and encourage mobility. Our ultimate goal is to help patients with chronic sciatica achieve the relief they deserve.

Achieve Sciatica Pain Relief With Our Chicago Pain Management Clinic

Are lifestyle and ergonomic changes not easing your sciatica? If so, you may benefit from advanced, non-surgical solutions at MAPS. We’ll start by carefully assessing your pain condition. Then, we’ll create a minimally invasive treatment plan that targets your unique symptoms. Schedule an appointment today!