Sciatic Nerve Specialist
Problems with the sciatic nerve are recognized by the classic symptom of pain that radiates from your lower back down your leg. Relief from the pain is possible when you seek treatment from Dr. Faisal Mahmood and Dr. Debra Ibrahim at One Oak Medical. They have extensive experience using multimodal treatments ranging from medication and injections to physical therapy and surgery. To schedule an appointment, use the online booking tool or call one of the offices in Staten Island, New York, and Wayne, Paramus, Middletown, and Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Sciatic Nerve Q & A
What is the sciatic nerve?
The sciatic nerve leaves each side of your lower spine, travels through your buttocks, then runs down the back of both legs, going all the way to your feet. As the nerve goes down your leg, it branches out to specific areas of your legs and feet, where it provides motor control (muscle movement) and sensory function.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that begins in your lower back and radiates down your leg. It develops when the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed at the spine. As a result, symptoms are felt along the length of the nerve.
Many lower back problems push against the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica, including:
- Herniated disc (the most common cause of sciatica)
- Arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped disc)
- Muscle spasm near the nerve
- Bone spurs
- Spine injuries
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The primary symptom is pain that begins in your lower back and radiates along the sciatic nerve. The intensity of the pain varies from person to person, and you may experience a mild ache or a severe bout of pain.
Sciatica may cause numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg and foot. Your symptoms could also be mixed, so you feel pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part.
How is sciatica treated?
The physicians at One Oak Medical develop a customized treatment plan designed to relieve your pain and improve your mobility. Your treatment plan may include self-care measures such as modifying activities and applying cold packs or heat. Other possible treatments include:
Medication
Your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or other medications to treat your pain. Some patients may benefit from steroid injections, which significantly reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Physical therapy incorporates several modalities, such as exercise to strengthen muscles and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve or therapeutic massage to relax muscles and improve circulation. You may also receive nonsurgical spinal decompression and ongoing rehabilitation to improve function and maintain movement.
Surgery
If you develop significant muscle weakness or your pain doesn’t improve or worsens, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the underlying cause of your sciatica.
If your back or leg pain persists or worsens, call One Oak Medical or book an appointment online today.
