Sciatica Relief: What Causes Nerve Pain and How to Treat It

That sharp, shooting pain that travels from your lower back down through your hip and leg has a name: sciatica. It can make sitting, standing, and even sleeping miserable, and for many people it does not go away on its own. If you are searching for sciatica relief in Portsmouth, NH, the good news is that most patients get better without surgery once the true source of the nerve pain is found and treated.

At American Pain Institute, Dr. Greenspan helps patients across the New Hampshire Seacoast get to the bottom of their sciatica and nerve pain. Here is what causes it, how to recognize it, and the non-surgical treatment options that can finally bring relief.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, which runs from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. When that nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it sends pain signals along its entire length.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. That distinction matters, because lasting relief depends on identifying what is actually pressing on or inflaming the nerve in the first place.

Common Causes of Sciatica and Nerve Pain

Several spine and nerve conditions can trigger sciatica. The most common culprits include:

• Herniated or bulging discs pressing on the nerve root
• Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal
• Degenerative disc disease from age-related wear
• Bone spurs or arthritis in the spine
• Piriformis syndrome, when a deep hip muscle irritates the nerve
• Pinched nerves from injury or poor posture

Because so many different problems can produce the same shooting leg pain, an accurate diagnosis is the single most important step toward effective treatment.

Symptoms of Sciatica to Watch For

Sciatica does not feel the same for everyone, but the classic signs include:

• Pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttock and down one leg
• Burning, tingling, or an electric-shock sensation
• Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
• Pain that worsens when sitting, coughing, or sneezing

If your leg pain is severe, spreading, or paired with new weakness, it is time to see a pain management specialist rather than waiting it out.

Non-Surgical Sciatica Treatment Options

Most sciatica sufferers find relief without surgery. As an interventional pain management practice, American Pain Institute focuses on treatments that target the irritated nerve directly.

Epidural Steroid Injections

When an inflamed nerve root is the source of your sciatica, epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication right to the space around it. This can dramatically reduce the radiating pain that travels down the leg, often helping patients avoid or postpone back surgery.

Radiofrequency Ablation

If your nerve pain keeps returning, radiofrequency ablation uses gentle heat from radio waves to quiet the specific nerves sending pain signals to your brain. Relief can last many months, and the procedure can be repeated if needed.

Spinal Cord Stimulator Trials

For stubborn nerve pain that has not responded to injections or other care, a spinal cord stimulator can interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. Because you test the device during a trial period first, it is a low-risk way to find out whether it works for you.

Regenerative Medicine

Some patients prefer an option that supports the body’s natural healing. Our regenerative medicine treatments can be a non-surgical alternative for the right candidates, and you can explore self-pay pricing on our regenerative medicine page.

Why Choose American Pain Institute for Sciatica Care

Sciatica is complex, and cookie-cutter treatment rarely works. As a private, single-physician practice, American Pain Institute gives you something larger clinics often cannot: you see Dr. Greenspan personally at every visit. He reviews your imaging and history before your first appointment, so your visit starts with answers, not paperwork.

That continuity means your treatment plan is built around your specific diagnosis and refined by the same doctor over time, which leads to better decisions and better results. You can see the full range of procedures on our pain management services page.

Get Relief From Sciatica and Nerve Pain

You do not have to keep living with shooting leg pain. With the right diagnosis and a targeted, non-surgical treatment plan, most patients get back to the activities they love.

American Pain Institute is a referral-only practice, so you will need a referral from your primary care or treating provider along with your records and imaging. Most patients are seen within two weeks. Ready to find lasting sciatica relief in Portsmouth, NH? Request an appointment online or call our office at (603) 766-8500.