It’s a common mistake to think that neurosurgery is “just” brain related. You may see a neurosurgeon any time that you have an injury or disease affecting nerves. Neurosurgery, therefore, treats all parts of your body from head to toe.
Back pain is a common problem — a majority of Americans experiencing it at some point in their lives. Herniated discs are frequently the cause, pressing on nerve tissue and creating pain. They might be the reason behind your neck or back pain.
Many people blame the sciatic nerve for their back pain, and while it may be the culprit, it can also cause issues anywhere along its length, from the lower back to your feet. Here’s what you need to know.
It might be pain, it might be numbness, tingling, or weakness, but the symptoms of pinched nerves are rarely welcome. Compression or irritation interferes with the nerve’s normal function, and several areas in your body are particularly vulnerable.
A certain degree of pain accompanies some forms of exercise, and this can include back pain. However, there’s a difference between “good” and “bad” pain, and your back is one place where lingering pain is problematic.
Generally, your chances of experiencing a herniated disc in your spine increase with age, since disc degeneration often results from the wear and tear of daily living. Just as your skin loses moisture, so do spinal discs.
Chronic lower back pain often stems from nerve irritation due to ruptured disks or other narrowing of spaces through which these nerves pass. This condition is called lumbar radiculopathy and it may need multifaceted treatment.
An operation on your spine, even a minor one, is a significant procedure. Recovery times can be long if bone tissue needs to heal, so following your surgeon’s after-surgery care instructions could help you keep your healing time short.
Even if you’re not fond of needles, it’s worth putting your fears aside for nerve block injections for chronic pain. You could experience months-long pain relief, reducing your need to take opioid medications or delaying major surgery.
There’s usually a combination of reasons why you develop back pain, and there’s a very good chance you will, since four out of five American adults experience it sometime in their lives. Some everyday conditions may be adding to your back pain risk.
Chronic back pain can be a stubborn condition to treat. Pain medications tend to lose their effectiveness over time, leading to stronger doses and increased side effects, including drug dependence. Steroid injections may help, but in a limited way.
Neck pain affects virtually everyone at some point in their lives, and usually, it’s not a serious condition. Soft tissue strains repair themselves in a few days, but there are times when the situation or symptoms require medical intervention.
Excess weight isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Being overweight or obese, especially when you carry fat around your waist, can cause painful back strain. Learn how weight can impact your spine health.
Cervical radiculopathy is better known as a pinched nerve, in this case originating in one of the seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. Nerve irritation originating at the spine radiates pain and other sensations along the nerve path.
Is your arm or foot tingling? Pins and needles are just one of the signs of a pinched nerve. Read on to explore the tops signs you may have a pinched nerve.
Nerve pain typically involves a confusion in the messaging system that runs along the nerves between the brain and body. Causes range from an orthopedic condition to a larger health issue, like cancer or HIV. A variety of treatments can help.
The cause of your leg pain might have nothing to do with the leg itself. Learn more about what your symptoms mean and whether a damaged nerve or a herniated disc may be to blame.
Is your neck sore or stiff? If so, it may be arthritis. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments available for this very common problem, including physical therapy, medications, cortisone injections, and surgery.
If you’re suffering from chronic back pain that resists every treatment you try, it may be time to explore a surgical solution. With our minimally invasive techniques, spine surgery has come a long way.
