Sciatica
Sciatica
It’s thought that up to 10% of back pain sufferers have sciatica, a condition caused when pressure comprises the sciatic nerve. This pain can radiate along your hips and legs, disrupting your ability to move or even relax comfortably. At the office of Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dennis offers fast, effective diagnosis and treatment for this common source of pain. If you think you suffer from sciatica, call Dr. Dennis to schedule your consultation or book it online.
It’s thought that up to 10% of back pain sufferers have sciatica, a condition caused when pressure comprises the sciatic nerve. This pain can radiate along your hips and legs, disrupting your ability to move or even relax comfortably. At the office of Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dennis offers fast, effective diagnosis and treatment for this common source of pain. If you think you suffer from sciatica, call Dr. Dennis to schedule your consultation or book it online.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of pain that travels along the path of your sciatic nerve. This nerve branches from your lower back all the way down to each leg. This type of pain typically occurs when a medical condition compresses or irritates your sciatic nerve.
Who gets sciatica?
Sciatica often affects people who are already suffering from back pain or other back issues. The most common culprit for sciatica is a herniated disc, which can bulge out and compress the sciatic nerve. Bone spurs can also irritate the nerve, leading to sciatic pain.
There are a few factors that can leave you at greater risk for developing sciatica:
Obesity
Excess weight can increase the weight you place on your spine.
Your occupation
Jobs that require frequent heavy lifting or twisting of your spine may increase your risk for sciatica.
Prolonged sitting
Sitting for long stretches without a break can put greater pressure on your back and spine.
Age
As you grow older, your spine naturally degenerates, leaving you more susceptible to conditions that cause sciatica.
Diabetes
The nerve damage associated with diabetes can also affect your sciatic nerve.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
While the severity and type of pain sciatica sufferers experience can vary, the path the pain takes is unmistakable as it travels from your lower back, down your buttocks, and to your leg. This pain can feel like an ache, sharp pain, a burning sensation, or even an electric shock.
In some cases, you might also experience numbness or muscle weakness in the side affected by sciatica. In time, you might lose feeling in your leg or even suffer from a loss of bowel or bladder function.
How is sciatica treated?
How Dr. Dennis treats your sciatica depends on the severity of your pain and the underlying cause. For less severe cases of sciatica, Dr. Dennis might recommend some pain relievers or muscle relaxants to help manage your acute pain.
Exercise or physical therapy are also great options for treating sciatica, as they can help correct your posture and strengthen the muscles that help support your back.
If these treatment options are not providing results, Dr. Dennis might recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve. This is most commonly necessary when a herniated disc or bone spur causes your sciatica.
Is your sciatica making the simplest of physical activities a struggle? The expert care of Dr. Dennis can help. Call Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California, to schedule your consultation or book online.
Our Other Services
Back Pain
Back pain is the third most common reason people visit the doctor’s office, and it’s thought that nearly 80% of the world’s population will experience some form of back pain in their lives. Back pain is also one of the most common reasons for missed work, even though most cases of back pain are treatable or preventable. At the office of Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dennis has decades of experience in diagnosing and treating back pain, mixing the latest state-of-the-art treatment options with tried-and-true knowledge. If you suffer from back pain, call Dr. Dennis to schedule your consultation or book online.
Herniated Disc
While we often associate herniated discs with pain and immobility, the condition is quite common, and many people with a herniated disc exhibit no symptoms. When a herniated disc is particularly severe, however, you might need medical attention to relieve pain and restore function. Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California has decades of experience treating spinal issues and can provide the spinal care you need to get you back on your feet. To learn more, call Dr. Dennis to schedule your consultation or book online.
Neck Pain
Neck pain comes in just after back pain as one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, with up to 70% of all adults expected to suffer from neck pain at some point in their lives. The prevalence of this pain also seems to be growing, making proper diagnosis and treatment all the more important. At the office of Steven C. Dennis, MD, in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dennis has extensive experiencing identifying the root cause of your neck pain and providing treatment that lasts. If you?re suffering from chronic neck pain, call Dr. Dennis to schedule your consultation or book online.
Our Services
Neck Pain
Neck pain comes in just after back pain as one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, with up to 70% of all adults…
Back Pain
Back pain is the third most common reason people visit the doctor’s office, and it’s thought that nearly 80% of the world’s population…
Herniated Disc
While a severely herniated disc can hinder While we often associate herniated discs with pain and immobility, the condition…
Sciatica
It’s thought that up to 10% of back pain sufferers have sciatica, a condition caused when pressure or other conditions irritate…
Steven C. Dennis, MD
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