Sciatica
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Wynn Over Pain
Pain Management Specialists & Rehabilitation Specialists located in National City, CA
If you experience the excruciating pain of sciatica, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 40% of adults develop sciatica during their lifetime. Brenton Wynn, MD, at Wynn Over Pain in National City, California, offers innovative interventional therapies that target the source of your pain and provide long-lasting relief. To learn more about treatment options for sciatica, book an appointment online or call the office today.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that occurs along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves leave the base of your spine and travel down through each leg. Along the way, the nerve branches out to several areas of your legs and feet.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica develops when the nerve is compressed at the spine, a condition called radiculopathy. A variety of spine problems can cause sciatica, including:
- Herniated disc
- Bone spurs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Your risk of developing sciatica increases as you get older, partly due to age-related spinal degeneration, but also due to the cumulative effect of pressure on your lower back.
The intensity of your pain may vary, but sciatica has a reputation for causing severe, electric-like pain. You may also develop symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.
What are some treatments for sciatica?
When the sciatic nerve is pinched, it sends pain messages to your brain. Your brain must receive and process those nerve signals before you actually feel the pain.
If conventional therapies such as rest, medications, or physical therapy fail to provide pain relief, Dr. Wynn offers innovative treatments that target the nerves responsible for pain signals.
Some therapies block the nerve impulses so that the message never reaches your brain, while others treat the inflamed nerves themselves. To relieve low back pain, Dr. Wynn may recommend treatments such as:
Epidural steroid injections
An epidural steroid injection contains steroids and a local anesthetic. The anesthetic provides quick but short-term relief, while steroids reduce inflammation and produce longer-lasting pain relief.
During an epidural steroid injection, Dr. Wynn uses imaging to guide the needle into the epidural space next to your spine, placing it near the nerves responsible for pain signals. Then he injects the medications so they surround the targeted nerves.
Spinal cord stimulation
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device that delivers a mild electrical impulse to the nerves responsible for your pain. The impulse blocks or masks nerve signals, so your brain doesn't interpret the message as pain.
To get relief from sciatica pain, call Wynn Over Pain or schedule an appointment online today.
