At University Pain and Spine Center, we provide expert care to help you find lasting relief from sciatica and related spinal conditions. Whether your pain is mild or severe, our qualified and compassionate team is here to support your recovery.
Up to 40% of Americans experience sciatica at some point in their lives. If you’re dealing with lower back pain and numbness that radiates through one or both legs, it could be sciatica. Visit University Pain and Spine Center in Englewood Cliffs, Somerset, Monroe Township, Freehold, or Clark, New Jersey, for accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment. You don’t have to live with sciatic pain — call us or schedule a consultation online today.
Although often misunderstood as a standalone condition, sciatica refers to a set of symptoms caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body. This nerve begins in your lower back and branches down through your hips, buttocks, and both legs.
Symptoms of sciatica can affect one or both sides of the body, depending on where the nerve is pinched. Common signs include:
Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, often stems from structural issues in the lower spine. It results from pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve due to various spinal disorders.
One of the most common causes is a herniated disc, when the outer layer of a spinal disc tears, allowing the inner gel-like core to bulge out and compress a nearby nerve root.
Another contributing factor is degenerative disc disease, where the weakening of spinal discs causes vertebrae to shift out of alignment. This misalignment can pinch nerve roots and lead to persistent sciatica symptoms.
As spinal components break down over time, bone spurs may develop and intrude into the spinal canal or foramen, causing spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spaces in your spine that can exert additional pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica, also known as lumbar radiculopathy, often stems from structural issues in the lower spine. It results from pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve due to various spinal disorders.
One of the most common causes is a herniated disc, when the outer layer of a spinal disc tears, allowing the inner gel-like core to bulge out and compress a nearby nerve root.
Another contributing factor is degenerative disc disease, where the weakening of spinal discs causes vertebrae to shift out of alignment. This misalignment can pinch nerve roots and lead to persistent sciatica symptoms.
As spinal components break down over time, bone spurs may develop and intrude into the spinal canal or foramen, causing spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spaces in your spine that can exert additional pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Any condition that places pressure on the sciatic nerve can result in sciatica. Common underlying causes include:
Your spinal discs act as cushions between vertebrae. When the soft center of a disc pushes through a weak or torn outer shell, it may press directly on the nerve, triggering sciatica symptoms.
These abnormal bony growths often form in response to arthritis. If they encroach into the spinal canal, they may press on the sciatic nerve or cause inflammation that limits nerve space.
Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, often caused by arthritis, structural abnormalities, or inflammation. This condition can reduce the space available for nerves, leading to chronic sciatic pain.
At University Pain and Spine Center, our team starts with a comprehensive physical exam and diagnostic imaging to pinpoint the exact cause and location of your sciatic nerve compression. Once the root issue is identified, we create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition, lifestyle, and recovery goals.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, sciatica treatment may include:
Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation around the compressed nerve, offering short- to medium-term relief from sciatic pain.
Targeted exercises help strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and take pressure off the sciatic nerve. PT also enhances flexibility and reduces the risk of recurrence.
Advanced techniques like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell therapy may help heal damaged tissues and reduce inflammation naturally.
This minimally invasive implant is used to relieve symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, one of the leading causes of sciatica.
If a herniated disc is the cause, a discectomy (removal of disc material pressing on the nerve) or disc replacement may be recommended to restore spinal function.
This surgical procedure removes part of the vertebral bone (lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and sciatic nerve roots.
In more severe or complex cases, spinal fusion may be necessary to stabilize the spine and prevent future nerve compression.
If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain or leg numbness, don’t wait for it to worsen; seek medical attention immediately. Contact University Pain and Spine Center today or book your appointment online for expert diagnosis and effective, customized sciatica treatment.
