Sciatica – Identify the Symptoms and Treatment Options

1. Sciatica – Identify the Symptoms and Treatment Options Sciatica pain starts in the sciatica nerve located in the lower back. Here is a brief look at the symbols and treatment options available. Sciatica refers to the nerve pain which occurs due to irritation of the sciatic nerve – which is the longest, largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve begins at spinal cord and runs through your hips and buttocks and then branches down each leg. Generally affecting only one side of your body, sciatica occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. It can also be caused by an injury, for example from falling, or spinal or sciatic nerve tumors. The condition causes pain, inflammation and numbness in the affected leg and the severity of the pain would depend on the extent of tissue injury. However, if the pain gets chronic and lasts for more than 3 months, it’s important to see a pain management doctor. Fortunately, leading multi-specialty healthcare and pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC provide effective, non- invasive treatment options that alleviate the symptoms and allow patients to get back to their normal activities soon. Sciatica is most likely to occur among people in the age group of 30- 50 years. One of the primary causes of this nerve disorder is a herniated or slipped disc. Normally, the intervertebral discs in the spine act as shock absorbers and protect your spine and keep it flexible. If the disc weakens (either due to normal wear and tear or due to a spine injury), some of the contents of the disc may leak out and get pressed against the nerve roots. Some of the other common causes include – spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, piriformis syndrome, degenerative disc disease, spinal tumors and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

2. Symptoms Pain that flows from your lower back through your buttock area and into your lower limbs is one of the characteristic symptoms of sciatica. The pain can vary widely from mild ache to a sharp pain, and get worse when you cough or sneeze. In addition, prolonged sitting can aggravate the pain. Other symptoms include – Numbness in the leg along the nerve Hip pain Burning or tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up A constant pain on one side of the rear Diagnosis and Treatment for Sciatica Diagnosis of this nerve condition involves a complete evaluation of patient medical history and a detailed physical and neurological exam to check muscle strength and reflexes. Imaging tests such as X- ray, MRI scan, CT scan or Electromyography (EMG) may be conducted to identify the exact source of pain. Muscle tests may be performed to test your strength and reflexes. Treatment methods include – ➢ ➢Physical therapy– A physical therapy program incorporates therapeutic exercises like gentle strengthening, stretching, and aerobic exercises that help restore function and improve flexibility of muscles and joints. ➢ ➢Game Ready® - Combining active compression and cold therapies in one sole system, Game Ready helps enhance the tissue healing process. ➢ ➢Medications - Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin or NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants can reduce chronic low back pain. ➢ ➢Epidural steroid injections– Injections of corticosteroid medication into the area surrounding the nerve root will suppress inflammation and relieve pain. ➢ ➢Chiropractic care - Chiropractic treatment promotes the body's natural potential to heal itself. A sciatica treatment plan would include spinal manipulation and possibly ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, and TENS. ➢ ➢Spinal decompression therapy– This therapy involves stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorized device. Even though sciatica is a complex nerve disorder, with correct, timely treatment and proper rest this condition heals within 6 -7 weeks. However, if left untreated, this nerve disorder can result in severe

3. complications like partial immobility of the leg, loss of sensation in the leg and other functional disabilities such as limitation in walking, sitting and standing. People following a sedentary lifestyle, being obese or overweight and engaging in activities that put additional strain and pressure on back area such as - frequent twisting, bending and heavy weight lifting -- are more likely to experience this condition in the long run. Therefore, following simple precautions such as – maintaining a correct posture, reducing continued periods of sitting and doing regular exercises can help prevent sciatica related low back pain. (718) 769-2521 www.hqbk.com info@hqbk.com