Sciatica Treatment at Precision Pain Care

If sciatica is preventing you from living life to the fullest, consider visiting the Spine Center at Precision Pain Care. Dr. Graf Hilgenhurst and our team of pain management experts provide relief for people in Tennessee, area who are experiencing disruptive neck and back problems, including sciatica.

Sciatica is a general term referring to the symptoms that can occur when the sciatic nerve – which runs from the base of the spine and down both legs – becomes compressed or irritated, often by surrounding components of the spine. Therefore, treatment for sciatica focuses on removing or reducing the pressure placed on the nerve.

The natural aging process is the predominate cause of sciatic nerve pain. As we age, the continual pressures of bearing body weight and facilitating movement take their toll on the spine. This can contribute to the onset of a variety of degenerative conditions that may cause sciatica, such as:

  • Bulging or herniated intervertebral discs
  • Spinal osteoarthritis
  • Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebrae)
  • Spinal stenosis

The symptoms that characterize sciatica vary according to the lifestyle of the patient and the severity of the compression. However, the most commonly experienced symptoms of a compressed sciatic nerve include:

  • Radiating or shooting pain that travels down the lower back, buttocks, and legs
  • Pain in the back, buttocks, or legs that grows worse when seated
  • Numbness, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness in the lower body
  • Sharp or dull pain at the location of the nerve compression

Here’s the good news – Precision Pain Care offers leading-edge, non-invasive therapies and minimally invasive procedures that can relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve without the lengthy recovery periods associated with traditional open-spine surgeries. Founded by Dr. Graf Hilgenhurst, a board-certified pain medicine specialist and anesthesiologist, our practice takes a conservative approach to treatment that focuses on avoiding major spine surgery and narcotic dependency. We will carefully listen to your concerns, thoroughly explain our treatment options, and together, design an individualized sciatica treatment plan that accommodates your specific condition and health care preferences. Throughout the process, we make it our primary goal to return you to the activities and life you enjoyed before developing sciatica.

Contact Precision Pain Care today to schedule a consultation. We will be glad to provide you with more information about the advanced sciatica treatment options that we offer.

What to Expect During the Diagnosis and Treatment Process of Spine and Pain Conditions

For most people, the decision to see an Interventional Pain Anesthesiologist for spine and pain conditions is full of hope. Some patients may be a little apprehensive after years of pain, but knowing what to expect can help alleviate fear and adjust expectations.

Our goal over the course of your treatment is to listen intently, pinpoint pain precisely, and then provide a targeted treatment plan for your pain.

Depending on the nature of your condition, some appointments may last longer than most office visits. Our highly personalized approach requires giving you adequate time and attention to help us understand the type of pain condition you’re struggling with.

During the initial appointment, a pain assessment will be performed including questions about your medical history, current prescriptions, pain patterns, and any other specific causes for concern. Depending on your symptoms and type of pain, you may expect orders for additional imaging studies or physical therapy. Some patients may receive treatment during their first visit for conditions such as joint pain. For your own safety and to help us make a precise diagnosis, we ask each patient to be as thorough and detailed as possible.

Wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict your motion in case we need to test your skeletal and muscular abilities. Please bring any recent medical records, MRIs, CT scans, X-Rays, or EMG reports that you have in your possession to your first appointment, as well as your insurance card. Patients will also be responsible for paying their insurance co-payments and deductibles if covered by an insurance plan. If patients are paying themselves, our staff can provide an estimate in advance.

Precision Diagnostics Take Time
The results of your first consultation will rule out certain conditions, and give us a good indication of the possible sources of your pain. It may be necessary to schedule further tests to provide detailed images of your spine to pinpoint the specific source of pain. This will enable us to precisely identify the specific location of pain and most effective treatment.

A visit to Precision Pain Care may take longer than what you usually experience at other doctor’s offices because our team takes the appropriate time and attention to accurately diagnose and treat every patient’s condition. We understand patients are anxious for a solution, and we ensure our time and efforts will produce quality outcomes with adequate and effective course of treatment.

Further Diagnostic Testing
Depending on what we discover during your consultation it may be necessary for you to undergo further tests to help us narrow down the possible sources of your pain, better understand you condition or injury, learn why you’re in pain, make a precise diagnosis, and prescribe an effective treatment regimen.

A Precision Diagnosis
Once we’re ready to give you an accurate diagnosis, we will outline the various treatment options available, and elect the ones the provider believes will work best for your condition.

Treatment is a collaborative process. We will work with you to plan the best, most comfortable way to get you back to enjoying life. At Precision Pain Care, we specialize in spine and pain procedures to diagnose and treat pain at the source. Some patients may respond well to rest, physical therapy or other conservative treatments. Other patients may need a minimally invasive procedure at the source of pain. If your diagnosis requires a spine and pain procedure, we may combine therapies to effectively treat each problem. Depending on the kind of treatment the patient receives, our team can determine how often treatment is necessary. If you have sedation during your pain treatment, you will be required to have a ride home. Talk with your Precision Pain Care physician about potential side effects and the ability to return to work. Typically, a patient can return to work the following day after a pain procedure.. However, if your job requires tough manual labor, more recovery time may be recommended.

Follow-Up
You may experience some post-procedural pain at your treatment site, which normally resolves itself quickly. Use ice intermittently or over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.

Most patients experience immediate reduction in their pain. However, some patients do experience minimal discomfort at the injection site. The Precision Pain Care staff works with you (and alongside the referring physician, if there is one) to alleviate your pain, and get you back to your normal activities. To minimize the risk of re-injury and/or increased pain, please be diligent with your treatment, and keep us informed of any changes that could impact your condition.

Invest in Your Health
For people suffering from debilitating spine and pain conditions, a visit to our office should be a priority to contribute to your future health and wellness.

Untreated spine and pain conditions can lead to a host of health problems including anxiety and depression, appetite loss, decreased mobility, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, muscle fatigue and spasms, sleep difficulties, and a weakened immune system.

Precision Pain Care’s thorough diagnosis and treatment approach is a collaborative one, ensuring the most effective treatment options. Rather than simply prescribing pain medication, our Interventional Pain Anesthesiologist will identify the root cause of your pain through a precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

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Middle Tennessee’s Premier Spine and Pain Surgery Center.

Founded by Dr. Graf Hilgenhurst, Spine and Pain Physicians Surgery Center provides minimally invasive procedures to relieve spine and pain discomfort associated with disc herniations, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, compression fractures, and other painful conditions.