8 Stretches That Can Help Ease the Pain of Sciatica

8 Stretches That Can Help Ease the Pain of Sciatica

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Michael Schneider, P.A.-C.

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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.

The First Shot Helped Me Right Away!

Fredric M. Sonstein, M.D., M.B.A

Read what first-time patient, Betty A., had to say about her experience at SpineOne.

“I was happy with the entire visit to SpineOne. The first shot helped me a lot, right away.”  -- Betty

What You Should Know About Back Pain from ZocDoc.

Back pain 101 – 
An infographic by the team at ZocDoc

We thought we would share this infograph that illustrates information you should know about back pain from the ZocDoc Blog.
  
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.

SpineOne Congratulates the Denver Broncos!

SpineOne congratulates the Denver Broncos on winning the AFC West Division and the No. 1 seed in the American Football Conference (AFC) playoffs. 

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.

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.

Thank You SpineOne!

Hashim Khan, M.D. at SpineOne

Read what first-time SpineOne patient, Stephanie, had to say about her experience and treatment by Dr. Hashim Khan.

I was very impressed with your facility. The staff was very friendly, compassionate and professional. I felt very comfortable and well taken care of. Dr. Khan was very attentive and I appreciated the time he spent with me.    

THANK YOU SPINEONE!  --Stephanie

Are You at Risk for Sciatic Pain?

What is sciatica?

Sciatica refers to a type of pain affecting the sciatic nerve which extends from your lower back down into the back of each leg. Sciatic pain occurs when the sciatic nerve 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 symptomatic of other medical conditions such as a herniated disc, disc degeneration or spinal stenosis. 

While a spine specialist can determine whether you are showing symptoms of sciatica, it is important to educate yourself on the risk factors for sciatic pain. To assist you, SpineOne has provided an online infographic that explains some of the key contributors to sciatic pain. Simply click on the image to enlarge, save and/or print it.

If you or someone you know is experiencing chronic neck or back pain 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 treatment plan. SpineOne physicians subscribe a personalized treatment plan to ensure that patients receive the highest level of medical and rehabilitation services specifically tailored to meet each person's individual health needs.

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.

10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Back Pain from STYLECRAZE.

How to Relieve Back Pain without Surgery

Back pain can be debilitating. When it is keeping you on the sidelines of your life, you may be willing to consider any treatment that works, including surgery. There are occasions when back surgery is the best option for relieving your pain, but it is not your only choice. Less than five percent of back and neck pain patients are good candidates for spinal surgery. The good news is that there are alternative treatments for conditions such as herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative discs, sciatic pain and more.

At SpineOne, we can manage your pain using targeted injections and therapeutic care to provide you with relief often without powerful medications that can be habit-forming. To learn which treatment options are right for you, it is important to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist like the experts at SpineOne. The following infographic illustrates the different choices you have for treating back and neck pain.  If you are considering open- or laser-spine surgery, visit the doctors at SpineOne for a second opinion. The back specialists at SpineOne can likely relieve back or neck pain without surgery.
 
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.

I ♥ Dr. Sonstein and SpineOne!

Read what first-time patient, Shauna, had to say about her experience at SpineOne.

“I love Dr. Sonstein . It was clear from the beginning that his main objective was to make me feel better. He was really concerned about me.

Your surgical staff is amazing. All your nurses are attentive and nice. The nurse who helped me the anesthesia rocks big time and your center is great!

Candy in billing is totally amazing. She explains things simply and clearly and is quite good at calming you down and walking your through the process.

I am glad I ended up with SpineOne.”  -- Shauna

There are Alternatives to Spinal Surgery. You Should Always Get a Second Opinion.

Back pain can be debilitating, and when it is keeping you on the sidelines of your life, you may be willing to consider any treatment that will work, including surgery. There are occasions when back surgery is the best option for relieving your pain, but it’s not the only choice you have. There are often alternative treatments to surgery for back pain associated with symptoms from conditions such as herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative discs, osteoarthritis and more.

Before you undergo surgery, visit a spine specialist like the physicians at SpineOne for an assessment to determine if other, less-invasive treatments may be the better choice for you.  With minimally invasive treatment options, like the ones at SpineOne, you get:

Fast Recovery 
With back surgery, you may face a hospital stay followed by an extended period of bed rest. This means that you will need to take time off from work and that you won’t be able to handle your family responsibilities as you normally would. With most of our treatments, you’re ready to get back to life as soon as the treatment is over. No in-patient care is required and you can start to get relief from your back pain right away.

Conservative Pain Therapies 
In the wake of surgery, your doctor will likely prescribe powerful medications to manage your back pain. These medications can leave you feeling groggy and can be habit-forming. At SpineOne, we can manage your pain using targeted injections and therapeutic care to provide you with relief without the side effects of strong medications.

Tailored, Comprehensive Treatment Plans
At SpineOne, our spine specialists tailor comprehensive treatment plans for each individual patient. We incorporate minimally invasive and innovative treatments often including physical therapy to address back pain. There is no cutting involved which means you won’t face the risks associated with surgery, and you won’t have any scarring. You face fewer potential complications with our treatments, many of which are completely natural. Our minimally invasive treatments also leave you with less pain after care than you would experience recovering from surgery.

If you are considering open- or laser-spine surgery, visit the doctors at SpineOne for a second opinion. The back specialists at SpineOne can likely relieve back or neck pain without surgery.

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.