Sciatica is a condition caused when pressure from a bone spur, spinal stenosis, herniated disc or other spinal condition causes radiating pain along the sciatic nerve in the back. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each of the legs. Sciatica is often felt on only one side of the body. Full Range Spine & Ortho offers sciatica treatment in Los Angeles using non-invasive, regenerative techniques.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
As a type of pain that affects the largest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back down to the legs, sciatica can be quite uncomfortable and include the following symptoms:
- Pain: The hallmark symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. The pain may be sharp, burning, or shooting in nature and can be intense.
- Numbness and tingling: Patients with sciatica may experience numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation in the affected leg or foot.
- Weakness: In some cases, sciatica can cause weakness in the affected leg, which may make it difficult to stand or walk.
- Loss of reflexes: Patients with sciatica may also experience a loss of reflexes in the affected leg.
- Bowel and bladder problems: In rare cases, sciatica can cause bowel and bladder problems, such as incontinence or difficulty with urination.
The symptoms of sciatica may be worsened by certain activities, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time, coughing or sneezing, or bending over. Whether you are a professional athlete or an aging grandparent, we understand how debilitating sciatica can be at Full Range Spine & Ortho. You can trust that our Los Angeles physicians are qualified to accurately diagnose your sciatica symptoms and provide effective relief without invasive treatment.
How Can Regenerative Medicine Improve Sciatica?
Regenerative medicine seeks to harness and focus the body’s own natural healing abilities to speed healing and eliminate symptoms of different conditions and injuries. Regenerative sciatica treatment focuses on relieving the source of the pressure to the sciatic nerve while providing pain relief but avoiding invasive treatments like surgery.
Regenerative medicine can potentially improve sciatica by promoting the healing and regeneration of damaged tissues in the affected area. Sciatica is often caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can result in pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
One type of regenerative medicine that may be used to treat sciatica at Full Range Spine & Ortho is stem cell therapy. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into various types of cells and tissues in the body. When injected into the affected area, stem cells can potentially differentiate into nerve cells and other types of cells needed for tissue repair and regeneration.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another type of regenerative medicine that we offer to treat sciatica. PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, which is processed to concentrate the platelets and growth factors that promote tissue healing and regeneration. When injected into the affected area, PRP can potentially reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
While regenerative medicine approaches have shown great promise for treating sciatica, we encourage you to discuss all of your available treatment options with one of our musculoskeletal interventional specialists in Los Angeles. If regenerative medicine isn’t right for you, we offer a full menu of other minimally-invasive sciatica therapies.
Statistics About Sciatica
While sciatica pain is common among both men and women, it should never be ignored. It is important to know your risk factors for sciatica as well as understand the consequences of not treating this spinal condition. Here are some statistics related to sciatica to help you understand the value of early treatment at our Los Angeles clinic:
- Sciatica is a relatively common condition, with an estimated prevalence of 5-10% in the general population.
- Sciatica is most commonly seen in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Most cases of sciatica resolve on their own within 6-12 weeks with conservative treatment.
- Sciatica can recur in up to 40% of patients, particularly in those with underlying conditions that predispose them to nerve compression.
- In some cases, sciatica can lead to significant disability and impact a person’s ability to work and perform daily activities.
Dr. Roy Nini and Dr. Paul Lee are pain relief and orthopedic specialists who can diagnose sciatica and recommend a tailored treatment plan to help you obtain relief. If you wish to avoid harmful or invasive sciatica treatments, including dangerous opioids, contact Full Range Spine & Ortho today for an exam and consultation.
Staying Active with Sciatica Nerve Pain
Many patients wonder if their sports play or workout days are over when they suffer from sciatica nerve pain. However, at Full Range Spine & Ortho, we help patients realize that It is absolutely possible to remain active despite sciatica nerve pain. This may involve being more cautious and modifying your activities as needed to avoid aggravating your symptoms. Our goal is to give patients lasting pain-relief so that they aren’t sidelined from their favorite physical activities or avoiding the things they love in everyday life. Here are some ways that we encourage patients to remain active while undergoing sciatica treatment.
Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling may be beneficial for patients with sciatica, as they can help to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Other exercises that may be helpful for patients with sciatica include stretching, yoga, and pilates.
However, it is important to avoid high-impact activities, such as running and jumping, as these can place excessive stress on the spine and aggravate your symptoms. Heavy lifting and twisting motions should also be avoided, as these can increase pressure on the sciatic nerve and worsen your pain.
It may also be helpful to use supportive devices, such as a back brace or cushioned chair, to help reduce pressure on the lower back and buttocks while sitting or standing for long periods of time.
If you are experiencing sciatica nerve pain, please consult with our talented providers at Full Range Spine & Ortho for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Your customized treatment plan may include physical therapy, medications, regenerative medicine or other interventions to help relieve your symptoms and improve your ability to remain active.
Non-Invasive, Regenerative Sciatica Treatment in Los Angeles, Hollywood
Radiating pain from the lumbar spine (lower back) that runs down one leg is the hallmark symptom of sciatica. The pain can vary, from sharp pains to tingling anywhere along the sciatic nerve route. Some patients report pain feeling like an electric shock or jolt. People who are overweight, diabetic or sit for prolonged periods of time are at a higher risk of developing sciatica.
Early treatment for sciatica is recommended to prevent symptoms from growing progressively worse. Sciatica treatment generally involves rest, physical therapy, NSAIDs, chiropractic care, joint injections, nerve root blocks or even massage or acupuncture. Patients generally see relief from symptoms and a full recovery in 4-6 weeks. Dr. Nini or Dr. Lee can help you during this healing period with interventional pain management.
Call Full Range Spine & Ortho today to schedule an exam and consultation with our Los Angeles pain management experts. We have four locations for your convenience, and you can even use our online scheduling tool to book your appointment.
The most appropriate treatments for you will depend on the cause, nature, and severity of your sciatica pain.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Nini at Full Range Ortho in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills to receive a custom-tailored sciatica treatment plan.