Sciatica Treatment in Richmond, VA | Board-Certified Pain Specialists
Stop Living with Sciatica.
Get Expert, Non-Surgical Treatment That Targets the Source of Your Pain
If you’re experiencing shooting pain down your leg, numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness, you may have sciatica. At Integrative Pain Specialists in Richmond, VA, we specialize in diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of sciatic nerve pain using advanced, non-surgical treatments.
Led by Dr. Benjamin Seeman, a physician Board Certified in Pain Medicine by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, our team develops personalized treatment plans designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help you get back to living your life.
Whether your sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or another spinal condition, we’re here to help.
Why Choose Integrative Pain Specialists for Sciatica Treatment?
Unlike practices that simply prescribe medication, Integrative Pain Specialists focuses on identifying why your sciatic nerve is irritated and treating the source whenever possible.
Patients throughout Richmond, Henrico, Glen Allen, Short Pump, Midlothian, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield, and Central Virginia choose us because we offer:
- Board-certified pain management specialists
- Non-surgical sciatica treatment
- Advanced image-guided spinal injections
- Personalized treatment plans
- Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations
- Workers’ Compensation expertise
- On-site procedure suite
- In-house pharmacy
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
- Continuity of care through The Feel Better Lounge
Dr. Benjamin Seeman has been recognized as a Richmond Magazine Top Doctor in Pain Management for 15 consecutive years (2010-2025) and was also named a 2025 Super Star Doctor, making Integrative Pain Specialists one of Richmond’s leading destinations for advanced pain management.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.
Rather than staying in your lower back, pain travels along the nerve into the buttock, hip, leg, calf, or foot.
Many patients think they have hip pain or knee pain when the real problem begins in the lower spine.
Common Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica symptoms vary, but often include:
- Sharp pain shooting down one leg
- Burning or electric-like pain
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Weakness in the leg
- Pain while sitting
- Difficulty walking
- Pain that worsens after standing
- Pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttock and foot
If these symptoms last more than several weeks or continue getting worse, it is important to be evaluated by a pain specialist.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica isn’t actually a diagnosis. It’s a symptom caused by pressure on a spinal nerve.
The most common causes include:
Herniated Disc
A bulging or ruptured disc presses against a spinal nerve root.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal places pressure on nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related wear and tear can contribute to nerve irritation.
Bone Spurs
Arthritic changes can compress nearby nerve roots.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve as it passes through the buttock.
Finding the exact cause is essential because each condition requires a different treatment approach.
How We Diagnose Sciatica
At Integrative Pain Specialists, every patient begins with a comprehensive evaluation.
Your appointment may include:
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Review of MRI or X-ray imaging
- Neurological assessment
- Functional evaluation
- Discussion of previous treatments
Rather than guessing, we identify the precise source of your pain before recommending treatment.
Non-Surgical Sciatica Treatments
Epidural Steroid Injections
Image-guided epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly around the irritated spinal nerve, reducing inflammation and helping relieve leg pain.
For many patients with herniated discs or spinal stenosis, this is one of the most effective treatments available.
Medial Branch Blocks
If facet joint arthritis is contributing to your symptoms, medial branch blocks help determine whether those joints are the pain source.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Once pain has been accurately diagnosed, radiofrequency ablation can interrupt pain signals for months at a time without surgery.
Trigger Point Injections
When muscular conditions such as piriformis syndrome contribute to sciatic nerve irritation, trigger point injections may help reduce muscle tension and relieve pressure on the nerve.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
For patients with chronic or treatment-resistant sciatica, spinal cord stimulation provides another advanced, minimally invasive treatment option that can significantly improve quality of life.
When Should You See a Sciatica Specialist?
You should schedule an evaluation if:
- Pain lasts longer than 4-6 weeks
- Pain shoots below your knee
- Walking becomes difficult
- You have numbness or tingling
- Leg weakness develops
- Conservative treatment hasn’t worked
- Pain keeps returning
Early diagnosis often leads to better outcomes and may help prevent chronic nerve damage.
Serving Richmond and Central Virginia
Patients come to Integrative Pain Specialists from throughout:
- Richmond
- Henrico
- Glen Allen
- Short Pump
- Midlothian
- Mechanicsville
- Chesterfield
- Ashland
- Hanover
- Goochland
- Powhatan
We also provide comprehensive care for Workers’ Compensation patients across Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica
What is the fastest way to relieve sciatica?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but many patients experience significant relief from image-guided epidural steroid injections combined with a personalized treatment plan.
Can sciatica go away on its own?
Some mild cases improve within several weeks. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be evaluated to prevent long-term nerve irritation.
Is walking good for sciatica?
Gentle walking may help some patients, but others experience increased pain depending on the cause of their nerve compression. A proper diagnosis is important before beginning an exercise program.
Can sciatica be treated without surgery?
Yes. Most patients improve with non-surgical treatments including injections, physical therapy recommendations, and minimally invasive pain management procedures.
What doctor should I see for sciatica?
Schedule an appointment if symptoms include persistent leg pain, numbness, weakness, or worsening discomfort. Early care helps prevent chronic pain and long-term nerve damage.
Do you treat Workers’ Compensation sciatica cases?
Yes. Integrative Pain Specialists treats Workers’ Compensation patients throughout Virginia and offers an in-house procedure suite, pharmacy, and DME services to streamline care.
Schedule a Sciatica Evaluation in Richmond, VA
If you’re tired of living with shooting leg pain, numbness, tingling, or chronic sciatica, the specialists at Integrative Pain Specialists are here to help.
Our team provides advanced, non-surgical sciatica treatment focused on identifying and treating the source of your pain, not simply masking symptoms with medication.
Contact Integrative Pain Specialists today to schedule your comprehensive sciatica evaluation and take the first step toward lasting relief.