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Sciatica Specialist

Southern Interventional Pain Center

Pain Management & Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, & Addiction Medicine located in Thomasville, GA , Lake City, FL & Tallahassee, FL

If you have sciatica, then you’re familiar with a throbbing, dull ache or a sharp pain that shoots down your buttocks and thighs that won’t seem to go away. Pain management physician Max Shokat, DO, and the team at Southern Interventional Pain Center in Thomasville, Georgia, and Lake City and Tallahassee, Florida, know how to resolve your sciatic nerve pain. Call the office nearest you today to learn about treatments for sciatica. You can also book an appointment online.

Sciatica Q & A

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the major nerve that passes from your lower back down the buttocks and the back of each of your legs. When it becomes compressed, you can experience pain and even dysfunction in your buttocks and legs.

Sciatica typically only affects one side of your body. The pain can vary from a dull ache to intense shooting pain.

If you’re experiencing pain in this area of your body, schedule an appointment with Dr. Shokat at Southern Interventional Pain Center. He can treat your condition with superior care.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is the result of a pinched nerve. When your sciatic nerve has pressure on it, it’s typically caused by a herniated disc in your spine.

Other causes include:

  • A bone spur on your vertebrae
  • Pregnancy
  • Muscle spasms
  • Aging
  • Diabetes
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Being overweight


No matter the reason for your sciatica, at Southern Interventional Pain Center, your condition is treatable.

How do I know if I have sciatica?

Symptoms of sciatica include:

  • Pain increases when sitting or standing for awhile
  • An uncomfortable tingling down the back of your leg
  • Sharp pain down your lower back into your leg
  • Numbness in your leg or foot
  • Muscle weakness in your lower back and leg
  • Dull ache alone one side of your body from your hip down


Symptoms of sciatica vary from person to person. No matter the intensity of your pain, Dr. Shokat can give you a personalized treatment plan to help you start living a pain-free life.

How is sciatica treated?

Before advising treatment for sciatica, Dr. Shokat gives you a comprehensive exam that may include taking X-rays or other imaging. During your consultation, he reviews your medical history, and you explain your symptoms.

Treatment for sciatica focuses on relieving pressure and inflammation. You may benefit from:

  • Epidural steroid injections
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Pain medication
  • Balancing rest with activity
  • Hot and cold therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Massage
  • Muscle relaxants


If a herniated disc contributes to the cause of your sciatica, resolving the herniation may take away the pain, which could require surgery to remove the bulging portion of the disc.

For sciatica treatment, call Southern Interventional Pain Center today to schedule an appointment. You can also book a consultation online.

We see patients in the following cities: Thomasville, GA , Lake City, FL & Tallahassee, FL. Call us to book your appointment today.