Sciatica Treatment in Jacksonville & Orange Park

What is sciatica?

Sciatica describes pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve — from the low back through the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes into the foot. It often comes with burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg. Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis: it means a nerve root in the lower spine is compressed or inflamed.

What causes it?

The most common culprits are a herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve root, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the canal that houses the nerves), degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra slips forward over another. Less commonly, the piriformis muscle in the buttock can irritate the nerve directly.

How is sciatica treated?

Most sciatica improves with conservative care, and the goal of interventional treatment is to relieve pain enough to restore activity while the underlying inflammation settles. Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the irritated nerve root under X-ray guidance, often producing meaningful relief within days. Dr. Eaddy pairs injections with medication management and coordinates physical therapy. For the small group of patients with persistent, severe nerve pain, neuromodulation options are available.

Will I need surgery?

Usually not. The large majority of sciatica resolves without an operation. Surgery is generally reserved for progressive weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or disabling pain that fails months of well-executed nonsurgical care. Dr. Eaddy will tell you plainly if your situation calls for a surgical opinion.

Who is a candidate for interventional sciatica care?

Candidates typically have leg-dominant nerve pain that persists despite appropriate medication, activity modification, or physical therapy, with an examination and imaging that identify an irritated lumbar nerve root. An epidural injection is not automatic; progressive weakness, emergency symptoms, or a surgically correctable problem may require another pathway.

What are the risks and side effects of treatment?

Epidural injection risks include temporary soreness, bleeding, infection, medication reaction, spinal-fluid leak and headache, or a temporary rise in blood sugar. Nerve injury is rare. Risks differ for neuromodulation or surgery, so Dr. Eaddy reviews the recommended option, alternatives, and medication adjustments before treatment.

Does insurance or Medicare cover sciatica treatment?

Medicare and many insurers cover medically necessary evaluation and epidural injections when the symptoms, examination, imaging, and prior conservative treatment meet plan criteria. Prior authorization and cost sharing vary. The office checks benefits and any required documentation before a procedure is scheduled.

Before your visit

The questions above cover what sciatica feels like, common causes, candidacy, nonsurgical treatment, risks, insurance, and when a surgical opinion may be appropriate. The safest plan depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms.

Trusted resources

Learn more about sciatica from these independent medical sources:

• MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) — Sciatica
• OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) — Sciatica

Related care

Conditions and treatments connected to this page, all provided by Dr. Eaddy:

• Epidural Steroid Injection — image-guided anti-inflammatory relief for irritated spinal nerves
• Back Pain — targeted diagnosis and treatment for low back pain
• Spinal Cord Stimulation — reversible neuromodulation with a try-first trial
• Endoscopic Spine Surgery — minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for selected disc, facet, and spine-related pain

Medically reviewed by Kenneth J. Eaddy, MD · Last reviewed: July 29, 2026