Sciatica Health Video

Video Transcript

CLIFFORD SEWELL, MD: Hello. This is Dr. Clifford Sewell. A message about sciatica. Sciatica is an inflammation or damage to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve exits the lower part of your spine and travels down the back of each of your legs. Sciatica is characterized by a sharp pain radiating from the lower back travelling down the back of each and/or both legs. Symptoms of sciatica are sharp pain radiating from the lower back down the back at each of and/or both legs. The pain comes from a pinching of the sciatic nerve at its base; this pain can be quite disabling. The patients report a sharp electric shock-like feeling travelling from the lower back down the back of the legs. Treatment includes pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for inflammation, ice for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day to the lower back; a home exercise program for stretching as well as professional physical therapy if the pain is not resolved. Sciatica can be an ongoing chronic condition that can be difficult to maintain; however, with physical therapy and exercises can be quite beneficial. Seek medical attention if the sciatic pain does not resolve itself within a few days or a week.