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Sciatica Treatment

in New York & New Jersey

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Get Back to What You Love

Sciatica Treatment at The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care

Living with sciatica can feel like your body is working against you - every step, twist, or bend triggers pain that radiates from your lower back down your leg.

Whether it’s a sharp jolt, a dull ache, or persistent numbness and tingling, sciatica can interfere with your ability to move, focus, and enjoy the things that matter most. For many, even simple daily activities like sitting, walking, or sleeping become challenging. If you’re suffering from sciatica pain, the Institute of Comprehensive Spine Care is here to provide you with exceptional sciatica treatment options. Led by renowned spine surgeon Gbolahan Okubadejo, MD, FAAOS, our team combines expertise, experience, and cutting-edge techniques to deliver the highest quality care for sciatica. We understand the impact that sciatica can have on your daily life, and our goal is to help you find lasting relief and regain your mobility.

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Sciatica Treatment at a Glance

  • What It Is: Sciatica is nerve pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically radiating from the lower back through the hip and down the leg.
  • Common Causes: Often linked to herniated discs, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or muscle imbalances affecting the lower spine.
  • Symptoms: Sharp or burning pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness along the sciatic nerve pathway—usually on one side of the body.
  • Treatment Options: Includes physical therapy, injections, and heat/cold therapy for most cases; minimally invasive or advanced surgical options are available when needed.
  • Recovery Outlook: Many patients improve significantly with conservative care, while surgical patients benefit from structured rehab and long-term relief strategies.

When Nerve Pain Disrupts Daily Life

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the hips and buttocks to the legs.

It can cause sharp, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness, making it difficult to perform even the simplest tasks. Sciatica is often caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, bone spurs, or muscle imbalances that put pressure on the sciatic nerve. It can range from mild to severe and may worsen with prolonged sitting, standing, or certain movements.

  • As Many as 43% of People Have Experienced Sciatica
  • Consists of 5 Separate Nerves Merged Together
  • Herniated Discs Are the Most Common Cause of Sciatica
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Recognizing the Symptoms

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms can vary from person to person, but these are some of the most common symptoms:

  • Pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down one leg
  • Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that may worsen with movement or prolonged sitting
  • Numbness or tingling (often described as “pins and needles”) in the leg, foot, or toes
  • Muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot
  • Difficulty standing up, walking, or lifting the leg
  • Pain that intensifies with coughing, sneezing, or bending forward
  • A feeling of heaviness or instability in the affected limb
  • In more severe cases, loss of bowel or bladder control (a medical emergency)

Early evaluation is important, not just to confirm the diagnosis but to ensure the underlying cause is properly identified and managed. Left untreated, severe sciatica can lead to long-term nerve irritation or loss of function.

Treatment Begins with Clarity

Diagnostic Services

Diagnosing sciatica starts with a conversation about your symptoms - what you're feeling, where it travels, and when it tends to flare up.

During your initial appointment for sciatica treatment NYC & NJ spine surgeon, Dr. Okubadejo, will perform a physical exam to check your reflexes, muscle strength, and how certain movements affect your pain. These small tests help identify whether the sciatic nerve is involved and which part of the spine might be contributing to the problem. Advanced imaging like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans may be used to get a clear picture of what's happening beneath the surface. These tools allow Dr. Okubadejo to pinpoint exactly where the nerve is being compressed - whether by a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing of the spinal canal. The goal isn’t just to confirm that it’s sciatica, but to understand why it’s happening, so your treatment plan truly addresses the root of the issue and not just the symptoms.

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Finding What Works for Your Body

Sciatica Treatment Options

Because lasting relief depends on addressing the root cause, not just the symptoms, sciatica treatment starts with understanding the source of the nerve irritation.

For most people, the first step involves non-surgical treatments designed to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore function. If your symptoms don’t improve with conservative care - or if nerve compression is severe - surgical treatment may be the next step. Every surgical decision is made with precision and care, and we take time to walk you through what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Our non-surgical approaches have a high rate of success, often precluding the need for surgery.

  • Physical Therapy: Strengthens the muscles that support your spine and improves flexibility to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Heat and Cold Therapy: Helps reduce inflammation and muscle tension while soothing nerve irritation along the sciatic pathway.
  • Over-the-Counter Medications: Relieves mild to moderate pain and inflammation, making it easier to move and heal.
  • Injections: Delivers targeted anti-inflammatory medication-–often a corticosteroid—directly to the area around the sciatic nerve to provide longer-lasting pain relief.

Surgical Treatment

When surgical intervention is necessary, Dr. Okubadejo offers a range of advanced surgical treatments for sciatica, drawing on his extensive expertise to relieve nerve compression safely and effectively.

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery: Relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve using a small incision for less tissue disruption and a quicker recovery than traditional surgery.
  • Spinal Fusion: Permanently connects two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine and reduce nerve irritation caused by movement.
  • Artificial Disc Replacement: Replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial one to maintain motion and relieve nerve compression.
  • Laminectomy: Removes part of the vertebral bone (the lamina) to create space and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Patient safety and comfort are our top priorities. We emphasize a well-informed process, ensuring you understand each step of your treatment plan and the expected outcomes.

From Relief to Resilience

Sciatica Treatment Recovery & Results

At The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, we believe recovery is just as important as the procedure itself.

That’s why we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach that continues well after treatment, supporting you every step of the way. Your post-treatment care includes a customized rehabilitation plan designed to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore mobility. We work closely with skilled physical therapists and use proven pain management techniques to help you recover safely and efficiently. From your first follow-up to your full return to daily activities, we’re here to make sure your progress stays on track and your results are long-lasting.

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Personalized Spine Care That Moves with You

Why Choose The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care for Sciatica Treatment?

At The Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care, we’re here to help you move past the pain of sciatica with treatment that’s both precise and personalized.

With locations throughout New York and New Jersey, our team is dedicated to providing effective solutions tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle. We begin with a thorough evaluation using advanced diagnostic tools to pinpoint the exact cause and severity of your sciatic nerve pain. This detailed approach allows Dr. Okubadejo to design a treatment plan that’s not only accurate but also aligned with your long-term goals, whether that means getting back to work, exercise, or everyday comfort.

If sciatica is disrupting your life, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Schedule a consultation with us today, and let our skilled, compassionate team guide you toward lasting relief and restored quality of life.

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Real Patients. Real Relief.

Reviews for Dr. Okubadejo

Dr. Okubadejo has hundreds of 5-star reviews.

Patients consistently praise Dr. Okubadejo for his attentive listening, clear communication, and exceptional surgical outcomes.

★★★★★

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Sciatica FAQs

The most common symptoms of sciatica include sharp or shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs, numbness or a tingling sensation in the affected areas, muscle weakness, and difficulty in moving the leg or foot.

Sciatica is commonly caused by a herniated disc, which occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc protrudes through the outer layer and presses on the nearby nerve roots. Other causes may include spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or rarely, tumors or infections.

The duration of sciatica varies depending on the underlying cause and individual factors. In many cases, symptoms improve within a few weeks or months with conservative treatments. However, some cases may persist for longer periods, requiring further evaluation and treatment.

While it may not be possible to prevent all cases of sciatica, certain measures can help reduce the risk. Maintaining good posture, practicing regular exercise to strengthen the core and back muscles, using proper lifting techniques, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing can contribute to spine health and reduce the risk of sciatica.

In most cases, it is advisable to stay active and continue with gentle exercises and activities that do not exacerbate pain. Physical therapy exercises and stretches specifically designed for sciatica treatment can help relieve symptoms and improve flexibility and strength. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance on appropriate exercises and activity levels based on your specific condition.

Sciatica can recur, especially if the underlying cause is not effectively addressed or if there are predisposing factors, such as degenerative changes in the spine. However, with appropriate treatment and preventive measures, the risk of recurrent episodes can be minimized.