Think spinal stenosis is just a back problem? Think again. Keep reading to learn how this spine condition can impact your neck as well as your back and how we can help you find relief from symptoms.
If you suffer from sciatica, don’t despair as there are some effective pain relief options for your pain and discomfort. According to Harvard Medical School, 90% of patients suffer from this bothersome condition. And luckily these days we have a variety of treatment options to choose from.
In this helpful guide, David Wu, MD, with offices in Torrance, California, you’ll learn more about your treatment options for sciatica pain relief. And from there, you and Dr. Wu can decide on the treatment option that’s best for you.
Before we treat your sciatica we need to diagnose it first. We’ll need to run a few tests, including an X-ray scan (MRI or CT) and a physical exam performed by Dr. Wu. And while there is no way to prevent sciatica from coming back, so while you may not be completely pain free, you can still treat and manage your condition.
Sciatica generally begins with a bone spur on your spine or a herniated disc, which can compress your nerves, causing pain and other unwanted symptoms. Because sciatica usually only affects one side of your back, you’ll find yourself experiencing symptoms like lower back pain, buttocks pain, and a tingling, numbing, or shooting pain in either of your legs and calves. Additionally, sciatica causes inflammation in your back and can be quite uncomfortable.
Most patients have a mild case of sciatica and don’t need invasive surgery or strong narcotics, which can be trying on the body. Some of the treatments for milder cases of sciatica include:
While most people do have a milder case of sciatica, you may find that your illness is much more severe. In this case, you may need hip surgery to fix a compressed nerve or a herniated disc. Surgery for sciatica helps by either removing the bone spur or repairing the herniated disc that’s been damaged.
Regardless of the treatment option that you and Dr. Wu decide on, you will need to get your sciatica treated as soon as possible. Leaving your sciatica to progress can lead to urinary and fecal incontinence, weakness in your back and legs, and a progression of symptoms.
Sometimes sciatica is a hereditary or unavoidable injury that you simply can’t avoid. Whether you have a predisposition to the condition or not, you’ll want to take a few steps to prevent it from developing, including:
For more information on treating and preventing sciatica, contact us, by either booking an appointment online or over the phone with the office of David Wu, MD, today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Think spinal stenosis is just a back problem? Think again. Keep reading to learn how this spine condition can impact your neck as well as your back and how we can help you find relief from symptoms.
Tired of living with chronic pain but wary of committing to a prescription-based treatment plan? We get it. That’s why we offer interventional pain management treatments. Here’s everything you need to know about this alternative to pain medication.
If you regularly experience migraine headaches, you may find that certain foods and drinks trigger them. Learn more about preventing migraines by cutting certain foods out of your diet here.
Did you know that back pain is one of the leading causes of disability? Because back pain is often caused by a bad posture, we’ve compiled this list of exercises you can perform to support your posture.
Sometimes headaches are just a normal part of life. But there are other times when headaches can be an indicator of a much more serious problem. Learn when you should see a doctor for head pain.
These days, many people are working from home. And it can be easier to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if you’re not working in an ergonomically correct office environment. Read on to learn how to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome at home.