Cervical Radiculopathy, more commonly referred to as a pinched nerve, is a painful occurrence in which a nerve in the neck area (the cervical spine) is compressed or moved in a way that it deviates from the spinal cord. The pain that follows as a result of this type of injury can radiate into the shoulders and even down the arms, and is sometimes associated with muscle weakness or numbness.

What are the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy?

This condition has several symptoms and can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency depending on where in the cervical spine the injury is occurring, the number of nerves damaged, and the overall health of the injured party. That said, some of the general symptoms include the following:

• Pain that starts at the neck and radiates to the arm, chest, upper back, or shoulders
• Dull or sharp pain coupled with a burning sensation
• Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in the hands or fingers
• Lack of functional coordination, especially in the hands
• Increased pain with certain neck movements (bending, rotating, turning, etc.)

How does cervical radiculopathy occur?

There are several reasons why cervical radiculopathy may occur. In younger people, it usually happens because of a sudden, traumatic injury that results in a herniated disc; for instance, a fall off a ladder. In older people, cervical radiculopathy is mostly due to general wear-and-tear that occurs over time, such as with arthritis.

Chronic degenerative processes, like spinal stenosis, can tighten the space in the spinal canal, causing a pinched nerve. Tumors, sarcoidosis, and fractures can also impinge on the cervical nerve roots. Athletes, people engaged in repetitive motions involving the neck, and people who sleep in awkward positions are typically more prone to this health issue.

How is cervical radiculopathy treated?

Doctors will use several diagnostic tools to identify the severity and specific cervical vertebrae affected by a neck injury. This may involve MRIs or x-rays. Based on that information, they can plan the best treatment program, which may or may not include cervical epidural injections. Cervical radiculopathy usually responds well to conservative treatment, such as rest, medication, or physical therapy. Generally, surgery is only necessary in a few cases of cervical radiculopathy.

Let Healthpointe help.

At Healthpointe, we are dedicated to solving your orthopedic issues and getting you back on track with your life. Our SpineMD program will link you with Board-Certified providers specifically trained in spinal issues, including cervical radiculopathy. Call us at (888) 754-9672— stop letting neck pain hinder your life today!

Did you know that the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body? Running from the lower spine down to the foot on both sides, if you ever feel radiating pain, chances are the sciatic nerve is involved.

Referred to by doctors as sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve can feel anywhere from bothersome to severe and debilitating. But for patients who are struggling to treat and prevent sciatica, knowing how and why it occurs can mean all the difference.

However, at a certain point, you may need to go to the emergency room due to your back pain. There are three main circumstances accompanied by back pain in which you should seek immediate medical attention. Doing so in a timely fashion could prevent disability and even death.

How Nerves Work

The peripheral nervous system (to which the sciatic nerve belongs), is composed of nerves exiting the spine and extending to the extremities. When a peripheral nerve is irritated, compressed, or inflamed, it sends electrochemical signals to the brain, which interprets the aggravation as the sensation of pain.

What You Can Do to Prevent Sciatica

Because the sciatic nerve is part of a large, complex system of nerves, muscles, and other tissue in the spine and back, one of the best and easiest ways to prevent sciatica is to care for your back as a whole. This includes supporting your lower back with proper posture when sitting and standing, avoiding obesity or being overweight, and keeping your muscles conditioned with regular exercise and stretching.

Frequent degenerative, age-related changes in the back, also known as arthritis, can contribute to or even cause sciatica. For this reason, keeping active, fit, and at an ideal weight is doubly important as we age.

Why Protecting the Sciatic Nerve is Crucial

If you suspect you have sciatica, talk to a doctor right away. Leaving sciatica untreated can result in permanent nerve damage, which can mean permanent pain. Permanent nerve damage can also mean permanent numbness to those parts of the leg to which the nerve lends feeling, and even weakness to the muscles that the nerve controls.

Why Protecting the Sciatic Nerve is Crucial

If you suspect you have sciatica, talk to a doctor right away. Leaving sciatica untreated can result in permanent nerve damage, which can mean permanent pain. Permanent nerve damage can also mean permanent numbness to those parts of the leg to which the nerve lends feeling, and even weakness to the muscles that the nerve controls.

Treatment Options for Sciatica

Treatment options for sciatica include rest, ice, and physical therapy. Your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), muscle relaxers, and possibly corticosteroids for helping with the pain and inflammation.

Additionally, diagnostic studies may be performed, such as MRIs, to understand the root of the problem. If additional studies show that there is significant inflammation or pressure on a specific nerve root where it exits the spine, an epidural steroid injection may be recommended.

For severe cases, surgery (such as a microdiscectomy) may be recommended. A microdiscectomy (in which part of a spinal disc is removed) would be recommended if the cause of sciatica is a spinal disc that is pinching, or placing pressure on the nerve root. A microdiscectomy would only be recommended after an unsuccessful epidural, or if an epidural was not an option.
If you have lower back pain, and/or suspect that you may have sciatica, talk to a doctor. Regular check-ups – whether in sickness or not – are crucial to maintaining your health.

This article was medically reviewed by: Dr. Roman Shulze

How Healthpointe Can Help

To find out more about programs for spine pain at Healthpointe, call (844) 887-7882, or visit Healthpointe.net.

Note: Healthpointe does not offer emergency services. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should go to an emergency room, or call 9-1-1 right away. Healthpointe is available for non-emergency spinal consultations.*

Normally, slight to moderate back pain does not necessitate prompt emergency care, as it frequently originates from a strained or pulled muscle, other soft-tissue injury, or improper movement of the spinal joints. Chronic back pain as the result of an underlying issue can take months or even years to treat, and can require consistent visits to a specialist, as well as medication, physical therapy, and more to resolve. People who go to the emergency room to quickly resolve pain may be disappointed, and especially during COVID, it doesn’t make sense to go to the hospital any more than absolutely necessary.

However, at a certain point, you may need to go to the emergency room due to your back pain. There are three main circumstances accompanied by back pain in which you should seek immediate medical attention. Doing so in a timely fashion could prevent disability and even death.

Severe Pain Accompanied by Nausea, Vomiting, Fever, or Loss of Consciousness

When spine pain is accompanied by these symptoms, it could be an indication of a severe, internal injury. For example, people who have significant kidney issues often report pain in their lower back.

Because of how close the kidneys are to the lower spine, back pain is often a symptom of other severe kidney problems. Other symptoms of kidney problems include nausea, fever, and vomiting. Further, because there are so many nerves in the spine, severe spine pain paired with nausea and vomiting can be linked to m, and is a cause for immediate concern.

Severe Pain Following an Accident or Trauma

If you are experiencing back pain immediately following an accident, such as a car crash, you should go to the ER right away, as it could be an indication of a more severe or debilitating spinal injury.

Whenever you injure your spine in a traumatic or jarring way, you should get help immediately. Spine injuries can turn south quickly, and the window of opportunity to fix what happened can be narrow.

Severe Pain Accompanied by Numbness and Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control

Numbness in the lower extremities is often a sign of a neurological issue. Combine that with back pain, and you have a recipe for disaster. A common description of paralysis is an inability to feel certain body parts. Severe spinal injuries can result in paralysis, and oftentimes, victims are slow to the jump in getting treatment.

Further, loss of bowel or bladder control can be an indication of Cauda Equina Syndrome, or CES. CES is a condition that occurs as a result of a spinal disc pressing against the bundle of ner
ves at the bottom of the spinal cord, known as the cauda equina. Other symptoms can include a recent onset of sexual dysfunction, a loss of reflexes in the extremities, and motor weakness in one or both legs. If left untreated, CES can result in permanent paralysis and incontinence.

How Healthpointe Can Help

Again, Healthpointe does not offer emergency services. If you are suffering from back pain shortly after a traumatic injury or accident, or if your back pain is accompanied by nausea, fever, numbness, or incontinence, go to an emergency room or call 9-1-1 right away. That said, for less severe back pain, or for recommendations concerning preventing spinal injuries, Healthpointe is your one-stop shop. Our doctors work alongside our patients to construct detailed treatment plans catered to each individual’s needs. To find out more about programs for spine pain at Healthpointe, call (844) 887-7882, or visit Healthpointe.net.

Cervical Spine Strains and Sprains

The human spine consists of three parts – the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine refers to the lower back, the thoracic spine refers to the middle of the back, and the cervical spine refers to the neck and upper back.

Of all cervical spine injuries, strains and sprains are some of the most common. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually describe two separate injuries. Sprains refer to injuries of the ligaments, the crisscross fibers that connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints. Strains refer to injuries of the muscle itself.

Cervical sprains and strains have similar symptoms. For instance, both types of injuries are often associated with pain, stiffness, or weakness. They have similar causes as well – overexertion, stretching, or tears are the most common causes for cervical sprains and strains.

Potential Causes

Any number of things can cause cervical strains and sprains. These are some of the most common instances, which we are especially familiar with treating at Healthpointe.

Cervical strains often occur when the neck is stretched beyond its typical range of motion. Common causes include sudden, jerking motions, such as with sports-related injuries or car accidents. However, constant physical stress, such as poor posture or sleeping positions, can also cause cervical strain.

Cervical sprains generally occur when the neck bends in an extreme way that it is not used to. While this can include car accidents or sports injuries, overhead lifting and falls are often the culprit resulting in cervical sprains.

Am I experiencing a strain or a sprain?

As mentioned above, strains and sprains have similar symptoms, and it can sometimes be hard to determine what you are currently experiencing.

According to Medical News Today, there are some distinct differences between strains and sprains, as evidenced by the chart below:

 
However, the most sure-fire way to diagnose a cervical sprain or strain is by getting the area looked at by a doctor. For severe strains and sprains, it is important to get it checked out in order to ensure something more severe isn’t happening, such as a fracture or slipped disc. A doctor may perform an x-ray or MRI to verify that there isn’t a more serious issue at hand.

Treatment

Treatment for cervical sprains and strains is about the same for either injury – time, rest, and ice. Some people find that heat and massages can relieve pain, but this course should be done at the recommendation of your doctor.

For more severe cases, you may be recommended a soft neck brace. Pain relievers may also be recommended on a case-by-case basis. As the injury starts to heal, other methods, such as stretches, exercise, and cervical traction, may be utilized, but again, these other methods should only be done at the direction of a medical professional.

Let us help you.

Healthpointe specializes in all aspects of spinal care, including cervical sprains and strains. With our guidance, we are confident that we can help relieve your pain and get you back on track. When you treat with us, you can rest assured that the process, at least, won’t be a pain in the neck.

Our doctors work alongside our patients to construct detailed treatment plans catered to each individual’s needs. To find out more about programs for cervical pain at Healthpointe, call (844) 887-7882, or visit healthpointe.net.

What is chronic back pain?

Chronic pain refers to ongoing pain lasting longer than three months. According to the CDC 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, and of those, 19.6 million have chronic pain that interferes with their daily lives. Of all the various types of chronic pain, nothing is more prevalent than chronic back pain. Very Well Health claims that no less than 84% of American adults experience chronic back pain at some point in their lives.

What are the negative effects of chronic pain?

Chronic pain can have a detrimental effect on a person’s psyche. In a study performed by CDC researchers, it was discovered that of approximately 123,000 suicides in the United States occurring between 2003-2014, almost 11,000 of those people had evidence of continued, chronic pain. The rate of people with chronic pain committing suicide increased over the course of this study. In 2003, about 7.4% of those people had chronic pain — by 2014, this number had increased to 10.2%. Chronic pain can also contribute to sleeping disorders, further damaging a person psychologically and physically.

Chronic pain can also lead to job loss, which can have many severe and adverse effects. According to the the Survey of Income and Program Participation, 54 million Americans live with a disability. The standards for collecting disability payments through the government include the following:

• Using a wheelchair, cane, crutches, or a walker
• Difficulty performing one or more functional activities, such as lifting, carrying, using stairs, or walking
• Difficulty with one or more activities of daily living
• Difficulty with one or more instrumental activities of daily living, such as going outside the home, preparing meals, housework, or using the phone
• Has one or more specified conditions
• Has any other mental or emotional condition that seriously interferes with everyday activities
• Has a condition limiting ability to work around the house
• Has a condition making it difficult to work at a job or business

A person with chronic pain could fulfill one or more of these requirements, making them a candidate for disability payments, rather than working. According to Very Well Health, “back pain has become an epidemic in the United States, and it is a leading cause of disability and lost productivity in the workplace today.” That being said, chronic pain is not in and of itself a qualifier for a person to receive disability assistance. Instead, people suffering from chronic injury must prove that their pain exists as the result of another issue, such as fibromyalgia.
 

What are the causes of chronic back pain?

Chronic pain can be caused by any number of factors, but is often linked to things like arthritis, cancer, nerve issues, and most frequently, back pain. Chronic lower back pain is often seen in people working long hours in an office atmosphere, where they are sitting in a chair for most of the day. People who work manual labor jobs with lots of bending and lifting are also more susceptible to back injuries, as well as accidents leading to back injuries.

Common causes of back pain include the following:

• Slipped discs, often due to twisting or lifting injuries
• Spinal stenosis involving the compression of nerves
• Compression fractures
• Tissue damage caused by strain or trauma to back muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Spinal fractures
• Structural deformities such as scoliosis

How can I treat chronic pain?

There are many treatments for chronic pain, and what method works best for you is dependent on the cause of the pain, how long you have dealt with the pain, and many other factors. At Healthpointe, we are dedicated to exploring non-invasive methods before jumping straight to a surgical procedure. We have doctors who specialize in many types of conservative management. Conservative management includes methods such as rest, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and more.

That said, sometimes, patients will have exhausted conservative management, and more invasive procedures will have to be considered. Fortunately, Healthpointe has some of the best neurosurgeons in the country. Our doctors specialize in any number of surgical treatments, including, but not limited to, epidural injections, spinal cord stimulators, facet injections, and Intrathecal narcotic delivery systems.

Here at Healthpointe, our priority is our patients. With the attentiveness of our providers and wide scope of expertise, we’ve made it our mission to improve every patient’s health to the highest potential, one day at a time. We are committed to improving your pain and returning you to the condition you were in prior to your injury or illness, if not better.

Are you experiencing severe, chronic back pain? Healthpointe treats back pain though our Neurosurgery Department. Our doctors work alongside our patients to construct detailed treatment plans catered to each individual’s needs. To find out more about programs for back pain at Healthpointe, call (844) 887-7882, or visit spinemd.net.
 

Although herniation may occur at any disc level from C2 to the sacrum, the most frequently involved site appear to be those segments with great range of motion and/or axial loading forces. In the cervical spine, C5-6, C6-7, and C4-5 are the most frequent discs to herniate, while L4-5, L5-S1, and L3-4 are commonly involved in the lumbar spine.

Trauma to the spine implies that an injury has occurred to any or all of the following anatomical structures: Mechanical instability of the vertebral column and actual or potential neurologic injury are two primary problems that surgeons are concerned about in spinal trauma.

The image above shows a common accident. The driver in the front of the vehicle would most likely have a flexion injury which is a severe forward bending of neck or trunk. An extension injury is a severe backward bending of the neck or trunk.