8 Stretches That Can Help Ease the Pain of Sciatica

8 Stretches That Can Help Ease the Pain of Sciatica

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Sciatica: All You Ever Wanted to Know & More

What is sciatica?
Sciatica (also known lumbar radiculopathy) is a type of pain affecting one or more sciatic nerve roots, which extend from your lower back (lumbar spine) down into the back of each leg. 

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve(s) or its origins along the lumbar spine are pressured, irritated or damaged causing pain, weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the lower back and extremities. Sciatica is typically a result of other medical conditions such as a herniated disc, (Figure 1) disc degeneration or spinal stenosis.  There are also certain risk factors that may increase one’s risk of experiencing sciatica.

Figure 1: Comparison of a healthy vertebral and ruptured vertebral discs

What are the symptoms of sciatica? 

Common symptoms of sciatica:

• Lower Back pain, which may be a mild ache, or a debilitating-sharp, burning sensation
• Weakness, pain, numbness and/or tingling in the lower extremities
• Discomfort when sneezing, coughing or laughing
• Pain that may worsen at night, interrupting your sleep
• Heel walk, which is the decreased ability to bring your foot upward
• Drop foot (difficulty when flexing your ankle and bring up the front of your foot)
• Restricted ability to walk on your tiptoes, walk, drive and/or lift your heel off the ground

Figure 2: Mapped symptoms of sciatica by vertebrae number and extremity locations.

If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, you may have sciatica.

Watch this online video about sciatica.

How is sciatica diagnosed?
Procedures used to diagnose sciatica may include:

• A straight-leg raise test to induce pain radiating from the hip and down the leg.
• A foot-flex or Braggard’s Test to identify sciatic nerve symptoms
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to get detailed images of spinal discs. MRIs use a giant magnet that circles the body.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan with myelogram is an X-ray used with a special dye injected into the spinal fluid. The CT scan is used to help identify the “bony” causes of spinal stenosis, while the dye helps diagnose soft tissue conditions such as disc herniation or a bulge.
• Selective nerve root block (SNRB) is when a local anesthetic is injected into a nerve root suspected of being affected by spinal stenosis. If the patient’s pain goes away after the injection, it can be determined that the compressed nerve is the cause of pain.

How is sciatica treated?
Typically, a combination of treatments works best to treat spinal stenosis. Treatment options may include:

•        Education—teaching patients spinal anatomy and basic body mechanics to help them manage their condition
•        Exercise
•        Activity modification
•        Medication
•        Physical therapy
•        Injections
•        Surgery

Does sciatica require surgery?
In some cases, surgery is required. SpineOne is dedicated to minimally invasive options whenever possible and will do everything we can to avoid surgery.

When can I expect to resume normal activities without sciatica?

Many people with sciatica are able to resume their normal activities after treatment. The goal of treatment for most patients is to have a healthy, active lifestyle free of sciatic pain. You’ll want to speak with a physician who specializes in spinal care to plan your particular treatment and get back in the swing of things.

Where can I get treatment for sciatica?
If you suffer from chronic or acute back pain and cannot find relief, you should always contact a spine specialist like the physicians at SpineOne.  SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne perform minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices to get you back on your feet and enjoying your life again.

SpineOne provides doctor consultations, MRIs and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. Same-day appointments are also available upon request.

Visit www.SpineOne.com or call 303.500.8611 today.

Why Prolonged Sitting And Standing Is Unproductive by Anna Vital, author--Funders and Founders

We thought we would share this infograph that explains why it is not good for your neck and back (and other parts of the body) to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time by Anna Vital, author-- Funders and Founders.

If you suffer from chronic or acute back pain and cannot find relief, it may be time to contact a spine specialist like the physicians at SpineOne.  SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne practice minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices to get you back on your feet and enjoying your life again. SpineOne provides doctor consultations, MRIs and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. Same-day appointments are also available upon request.

Visit www.SpineOne.com or call 303.500.8611 today.

How to Tell if You Have Sciatica

Sciatic pain (sciatica), symptomatic of other medical conditions, is when the sciatic nerve or one of its origins along the lumbar (lower) spine is irritated, pressured or damaged causing pain, weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the lower back and extremities.

While a spine specialist can officially diagnose whether you are showing symptoms of sciatica, you can also educate yourself about key sciatic pain indicators. To assist you, SpineOne has provided an online infographic that illustrates some of the sciatic pain symptoms and their locations. Simply click on the image to enlarge, save and/or print it.

If you or someone you know suffers from chronic sciatica and is unable to find a solution, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a spine specialist like the ones at SpineOne. The physicians at SpineOne provide each patient with a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and personalized treatment plan designed to meet their individual health needs. SpineOne offers both minimally invasive services for mild to moderate back pain and more advanced options for discomfort that is either severe or unresponsive to conservative techniques.

Call us at 303.500.8611 or visit www.spineone.com to learn more about our services.  For your convenience, SpineOne offers same-day appointments with consultation, imaging and treatment all within one facility.

How to Avoid Back Pain from Shoveling Snow this Winter

In a national study conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2011, approximately 66,919 (34.3 percent) people sought medical care for lower back injuries caused by shoveling snow from 1990 to 2006. Caused mostly from acute musculoskeletal exertion (54.7 percent), many of these patients suffered from low-back strain followed by a herniated-vertebral disc and then spinal fractures.  That’s an average of 11,500 shoveling-related injuries a year!

Why this happens
Many of us lead sedentary lives that involve working in front of a computer all day, every day, watching sporting events, TV shows and movies and eating less-healthy food (especially during the holidays). Then the first snowfall arrives, and we soon forget the physical demands shoveling hundreds of pounds of heavy, wet snow in freezing temperatures puts on our bodies.  This can be a recipe for disaster if we haven’t kept ourselves in some type of physical shape previously. 

Some information to keep you on your feet this winter
The back specialists at SpineOne have provided some information to help keep you out of the doctor’s office or emergency room this winter.

Check with your doctor
You should always check with your doctor before shoveling if you’ve already injured your back or you have another medical condition. Not only may you hurt your back, but also conducting strenuous work in the cold when you are not used to exercise may increase your chances for a heart attack. It may be best to hire someone else to clear the snow from your driveway.

Warm up
Let’s not kid ourselves. Shoveling snow is a strenuous activity. And you need to stretch to avoid injury like you would with any strenuous activity such as running, swimming, biking or playing sports.

Pace yourself
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks. If the forecast calls for snowfall over an extended period of time, start shoveling early; it’s better to shovel a few inches of snow at a time than a foot or two all at once. 

Use proper shoveling techniques
Distribute your weight evenly by bending at your knees and hips. Avoid twisting your back to throw snow on a pile; instead, turn your whole body. Take a look at this instructional video—Shoveling snow: How to prevent back injuries courtesy of Lenny Bernstein of the Washington Post before tackling old man winter this season.

Get the proper equipment

Use a shovel that is the right height for you.  We recommend one with an “S” shaped handle for more efficient leverage and better body mechanics when shoveling.  You should always try to push the snow instead of lifting it. Spread rock salt or an “ice melter” on slick spots along the walkway and/or driveway to avoid falls before shoveling.

Dress for success

Dress in layers that are warm and breathable, and like mom says, “Don’t forget to put on your hat!” Choose thicker gloves that keep your hands warm while providing a better grip on the handle of the shovel. Probably most importantly, wear boots with a slip-resistant sole.

Listen to your body

If you feel any type of pain or shortness of breath while shoveling, stop immediately and seek assistance. If you develop pain in your lower back that radiates down one, or both of your legs, you may have a more serious condition. If this is the case, or you fall down and injure your back, you should seek out a qualified spine specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment like the physicians at SpineOne. 

SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne practice minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices to get you back on your feet and enjoying your life again. SpineOne provides doctor consultations, imaging and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. Same-day appointments are also available upon request.

Call 303.800.5611 or visit www.spineone.com today.

Spinal Functions, Disorders and Associated Symptoms

Click to see larger infograph

Nearly 1/3 of Americans suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain, defined as pain that lasts more than six months, can be continuous, episodic, inconvenient or even life altering. While a sudden injury has an expected trajectory of healing, chronic back and/or neck pain can become a frustrating prospect with no recovery in sight. The ability of chronic pain to ebb and flow over months or years makes it difficult for sufferers to decide whether they should seek treatment. If you have chronic back or neck pain, the following infograph can help you better understand your condition.

If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic neck or back pain and is unable to find a solution, you should always schedule an appointment with a spinespecialist like the ones at SpineOne for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Congratulations Kendra!

SpineOne Employee of the Month for October!  Learn more about Kendra at http://dlvr.it/CbyCSY

Tips to Prevent Back Pain at Work

If you’re sitting at your computer right now reading this, you may be damaging your back more than you would by lifting heavy furniture.

Office Chairs and Back Pain 
These days, work often means sitting in front of a computer for hours. That’s why your office chair matters when it comes to your spinal health. If your chair doesn’t support your lower back and arms, you’re bound to start slumping over in the seat and leaning into your computer screen. This common posture strains your spine from your neck to the base of your back. Your ligaments begin to stretch out and put too much pressure on your spinal discs. The compression of your spine can also cause pinched nerves and back or neck pain.

However, there are things you can do to ensure that your daily activities aren’t causing you pain.

Office Chair Ergonomics 
An ergonomically designed office chair can prevent back pain by forcing you to sit up straight and reduce pressure on your spine. However, simply switching to an ergonomic chair won’t eliminate your back pain. You will have to adjust the chair to ensure that it provides the individualized support you need.

Be sure that you can sit close to your desk so that your upper arms and spine are parallel. Your lower back should be pressed firmly against the back of the chair, and adding a lumbar cushion can provide extra support and help you resist slouching. Make sure you adjust the chair arm rests to lift your shoulders slightly and keep your wrists as straight as possible while typing. This will reduce strain on your neck.

As a reminder to help you keep up proper seating posture, SpineOne has provided an infograph for you to click, download, print and keep at your desk.

Get Back to Enjoying Work

Back pain and neck pain can make your time at work unbearable. SpineOne can relieve your pain and teach you techniques to prevent work-related back and neck issues in the future. 

SpineOne offers a comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to meet the pain management needs of each individual patient. The physicians at SpineOne practice minimally invasive procedures combined with other practices such as physical therapy to get you healthy and enjoying your life again.

SpineOne provides same-day appointments upon request and offers doctor consultations, imaging and treatments all from the same facility for your convenience. If you are experiencing chronic back or neck pain…

Click www.spineone.com or call 303-500-8611 today!

Two Simple Tests to Diagnose Sciatica Pain

Two easy tests to determine if your back, buttock, leg and/or foot pain is sciatica. 
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