Sciatica Treatment in the Los Angeles and South Bay Area
What Is Sciatca?
Sciatica symptoms can interfere with many daily activities. Dr. Rebecca Kerr offers a variety of treatments for sciatica at the California Pain Institute in the Torrance area of Los Angeles.
Sciatica is another name for pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Discs are cartilage-like cushions between the bones (vertebrae) of the back. Discs are cushions of cartilage between the bones (vertebrae) of the back. They can herniate, or rupture, and protrude into the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord. Sometimes surgery is required but in other cases, surgery is not indicated, and chronic pain results from the ongoing nerve irritation.
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Sciatica FAQs
We understand that you may have some questions and we will provide all the answers needed for you to understand this condition and how it can be treated.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer them.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a disease or medical diagnosis, but a collection of symptoms that indicate an underlying medical condition. It may cause low back pain but the cardinal sign of sciatica is pain that travels down the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve originates in the low back and travels through the buttock to the lower leg; pain may occur anywhere along its length. Pain may be intermittent or constant and may be worse when sitting. In addition, tingling, numbness and weakness of the leg may also occur.
How Is Sciatica Treated?
In some cases, sciatica can be treated by dealing with the underlying condition. For example, a ruptured disc may need to be surgically removed. Non-surgical treatments include over-the-counter medication, physical therapy, pain medications, medications to relieve muscle spasms, and medications that specifically target nerve pain. X-ray guided epidural steroid injections can target the exact anatomic source of pain resulting in relief which may last for a number of months. Some patients benefit from massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, and/or acupuncture.
Does Self-Management Help?
Self-management is an important part of living with sciatica. Proper body mechanics (how the patient moves) and avoiding heavy lifting can reduce stress on the back and prevent further injury. Although exercise is important, the right kind of exercise is even more so, as some exercises can exacerbate sciatic pain. In an acute flare, alternating heat and ice on the low back can help alleviate leg pain. Getting adequate sleep reduces stress, helps relieve depression and anxiety, and promotes overall health. Weight loss can relieve stress on the back.
Contact us!
Give us the chance the help you treat and manage your pain, Dr. Rebecca Kerr, of the California Pain Institute, is skilled in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic pain.