Condition

Sciatica & Lumbar Radiculopathy Treatment in Tallahassee, FL

Pain, numbness, or weakness that travels from your lower back into your leg is one of the most common — and most treatable — pain conditions we evaluate. The right starting point is identifying the source.

Overview

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the term most patients use to describe a sharp, burning, or aching pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg — sometimes all the way into the foot. Clinically, this is called lumbar radiculopathy, which means a nerve root in the lower spine is being compressed or irritated, causing pain signals to radiate along the path of that nerve.

The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, electric sensation. Many patients also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg or foot. Symptoms are usually one-sided and may worsen with prolonged sitting, bending forward, or sneezing and coughing.

Causes

What Causes It

The most common cause is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower back that presses against one of the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. Spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses nearby nerves — is another frequent cause, particularly in older adults. Other contributing factors include bone spurs, spondylolisthesis (a vertebra slipping out of position), and in some cases piriformis syndrome, where a muscle in the buttock irritates the sciatic nerve. Identifying the specific cause through a thorough evaluation is essential to selecting the most effective treatment.

Evaluation

How We Evaluate It

We begin with a comprehensive history and physical examination to understand the character, location, and duration of your symptoms, as well as what you have already tried. We review any existing imaging studies — MRI, CT, or X-ray — and order additional imaging when needed. In some cases, electrodiagnostic testing such as EMG and nerve conduction studies helps us assess the function of the affected nerves and identify the specific level of involvement. This diagnostic-first approach ensures that any treatment we recommend is matched to the actual source of your pain.

Treatment

How We Treat Sciatica & Lumbar Radiculopathy

For patients whose symptoms have not resolved with physical therapy, chiropractic care, or medications, interventional options may provide more targeted and lasting relief. Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected nerve root, reducing swelling and pain. When a specific nerve level has been identified, a diagnostic nerve block can help confirm the pain source before proceeding with further treatment. For patients with ongoing or severe symptoms — particularly those with a history of spine surgery — spinal cord stimulation or dorsal root ganglion stimulation may be evaluated as longer-term options.

Our approach is stepwise and patient-centered. We do not recommend procedures until we have a clear understanding of the source of your pain and a reasonable expectation that the proposed treatment will address it. When surgery is the most appropriate next step, we will refer you to a spine surgeon. A consultation is the right starting point to determine which path makes the most sense for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Sciatica is the common term patients use to describe pain that travels from the lower back down the leg. Lumbar radiculopathy is the clinical term for the same experience — it means a nerve root in the lower spine is being compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness to radiate along the path of that nerve into the leg or foot.
Some episodes of sciatica improve over weeks to months with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. However, when symptoms persist beyond six to eight weeks, are severe, or are associated with weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control, a more thorough evaluation is warranted. Chronic or recurrent sciatica that has not responded to conservative care may benefit from interventional treatment.
The most common cause is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower back that presses against a spinal nerve root. Other causes include spinal stenosis, bone spurs, spondylolisthesis, or piriformis syndrome. Identifying the exact cause is an important part of determining the right treatment approach.
For patients who have not found lasting relief through physical therapy, chiropractic care, or medications, interventional options include epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve inflammation, and for patients with persistent or severe symptoms, spinal cord stimulation or dorsal root ganglion stimulation may be evaluated. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause and the individual patient’s history.
Most patients with sciatica do not require surgery. Many respond well to a stepwise approach that begins with conservative care and progresses to interventional options when needed. Surgery may be considered in select cases — particularly when there is progressive neurological deficit or loss of bladder or bowel function — and our team will refer to a spine surgeon when clinically indicated.
Sciatica typically causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg, sometimes all the way into the foot. It is usually one-sided and may worsen with sitting, bending forward, or coughing. A thorough clinical evaluation including history, physical examination, and imaging review is the best way to confirm the diagnosis.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

Our clinical team will review your history, imaging, and prior treatments to determine the most appropriate path forward.

Request an Appointment (850) 559-2355