Herniated Disc Treatment

What is a pinched nerve?

 In our NYC integrated medical center we utilize spinal decompression therapy, physical therapy and medical care to not only alleviate signs and symptoms but correct the problem without surgery.

A pinched nerve is a nerve with pressure applied to it. In the spine, a pinched nerve is usually caused by a herniated disc or herniated disc pressing on it.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve are:

weakness
tenderness
prickly sensation
stabbing sensation
burning sensation

Pinched nerves in the spine tend to happen in the neck and low back as these are the areas that do the most moving, and often refer pain down the leg or arm. Pinched nerves can be brought on by hard physical work and injury.

Sciatica is a symptom, characterized by pain down one leg, and brought about when the largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve, is irritated.

What is Sciatica and what are the symptoms?

The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. We treat Sciatica in our NYC office.

The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better with time (usually a few weeks or months) and find pain relief with non-surgical sciatica treatment. For others, however, sciatica can be severe and debilitating.

The clinical diagnosis of sciatica is referred to as a "radiculopathy", which means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.

An important thing to understand is that sciatica is a symptom of a problem — of something compressing or irritating the nerve roots that comprise the sciatic nerve — rather than a medical diagnosis or medical disorder in and of itself. This is an important distinction because it is the underlying diagnosis (vs. the symptoms of sciatica) that often needs to be treated in order to relieve sciatic nerve pain.

Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. Often a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica, but rather it tends to develop as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine.


Pain, numbness and/or weakness down the leg are the main symptoms of sciatica.

Sciatic pain is generally most noticeable as pain that radiates from the buttock area down the leg. Pain is usually on one side of the body, not both. Initially, sciatic pain is mild and grows in intensity - sometimes to unbearable levels - over time. There is usually little or no pain in the low back (although sciatica originates in the low back).

Nerve pain, such as a mild ache, and/or sharp, burning, tingling or electrical sensations, is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve.

Worsening of symptoms may be brought about by coughing, sneezing, laughing and similar reflexive actions. Sciatica symptoms also tend to become worse if you sit for long periods of time. This is due to the pressure sitting puts on the nerve, which irritates it. Symptoms of sciatica also may worsen after long periods of lying on the irritated area, and after long periods of walking.

Numbness or weakness of the leg or foot is another symptom of sciatica. Should weakness of the leg or foot get progressively worse, and/or if there is a loss of control or feeling of the bowels or bladder, you may have a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome. Seek medical attention immediately.

We utulize a combined  approach in our New York City Medical office to effictively reduce pain and remove the source of the problem.

Pain Management

Chiropractic care utulizing the Cox technique

Spinal decompression using the DRX 9000 in our New York office has been a proven method to reduce pain.

Whole body vibration acceleration training using the Power-Plate

Physical therapy

3D rehab on the Spineforce

Kinesio-tape

Acupuncture

Cold laser therapy using the Erchonia laser

Call (212) 645-8151 for effective Sciatica treatment in NYC or visit webiste www.livingwellnewyork.com