HEALTH & WELLNESS
Understanding and treating sciatica
Sciatica (pronounced sigh-at-eh-kah) is a term
used to describe painful symptoms such as tin-
gling, numbness or weakness in the leg. The pain
typically begins in the lower back and travels
down the buttock, then down the large sciatic
nerve in the back of each leg. Although sciatica
is not a medical diagnosis, it is a symptom of an
underlying medical condition.
DR. MARIAM
Common lower back problems such as a her-
GHOBRIEL-
niated
disc, degenerative disc disease, spondy-
SAWIRIS
lolisthesis and spinal stenosis often cause sciat-
ica symptoms. Physicians may diagnose patients
with sciatica if they have one or more of the following symp-
toms:
•leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling
or numb
• diffi culty moving the leg, foot and/or toes
• sharp pain that makes it diffi cult to stand or walk
• constant pain on one side of the buttock or leg
• pain radiating down the leg and possibly into the foot
• lower back pain.
Sciatic pain can range from infrequent and annoying to
constant and debilitating. This variation is usually a result of
the location of the pinched nerve, which can intensify when
moving suddenly or changing positions such as moving from
sitting to standing.
The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body and
is made up of individual nerve roots which start in the lower
back. Symptoms occur when the large nerve is compressed or
irritated at or near its point of origin.
The condition will need to be treated if it is severe enough
to cause ongoing fl are-ups of sciatic nerve pain so that it does
not worsen over time. However, nonsurgical treatments in
conjunction with certain exercises can relieve the pain that
most patients experience. These include heat/ice, pain med-
ications such as muscle relaxers, and epidural steroid injec-
tions. Some may be temporary fi xes, and they work for some
patients but not all.
When the pain is severe or does not get better on its own,
a more structured treatment approach, possibly including
surgery, may be the best option for preventing or minimizing
future pain and dysfunction for those who cannot get relief
otherwise.
It’s best to share all your symptoms with your physician so
the best treatment program can be designed.
Mariam Ghobriel-Sawiris, M.D. is the chair of the Pain
Management Division at Centrastate Medical Center and
board-certifi ed in pain management. She has been practicing
pain management in the Monmouth County area for more
than 10 years. Liberty Pain Center has an outstanding patient
satisfaction reputation and is located at 800 West Main St.,
Suite 111, Freehold, NJ 07728. To schedule an appointment,
please call 732-303-0102.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
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