Relieve the Pain Caused by a Pinched Nerve in Centereach, NY
A pinched nerve in your back can trigger excruciating pain, often described as a sharp, shooting sensation that feels like an electrical shock. This pain can travel from your lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of your leg, sometimes reaching into your calf and foot. This common and debilitating condition requires expert care to find lasting relief.
At Centereach Disc Centers of America, Dr. Malak Azab, a skilled Doctor of Physical Therapy, specializes in diagnosing and treating pinched nerves and sciatica. He provides advanced, non-surgical solutions to the Centereach and Ridge communities, focusing on relieving the pressure that causes the pain, rather than just masking the symptoms.
Understanding Pinched Nerve Pain (Sciatica)
The pain from a pinched nerve, clinically known as radiculopathy, can begin suddenly or develop gradually. It is often intensified by simple movements of the leg or back. While the pain can be felt along the entire leg, certain spots may feel more intense. This is frequently accompanied by numbness, weakness, or a persistent tingling sensation along the path of the affected nerve.
What Causes a Nerve to Become “Pinched”?
Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body, running from your lower back down the back of each leg. It, along with its nerve roots, provides the motor and sensory functions for your legs and feet. When these nerve roots in the lower back become compressed or irritated, it results in the condition commonly known as sciatica.
This pressure can be caused by several factors:
- Herniated or Bulging Disc: This is the most common cause, where a spinal disc protrudes and presses directly on a nerve root.
- Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the bony canal where the spinal cord and nerve roots reside, leading to compression.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: The breakdown of discs can lead to bone spurs and instability that irritate nearby nerves.
- Piriformis Syndrome: Spasm or tightness of the piriformis muscle in the buttock can compress the sciatic nerve as it passes by.
- Trauma or Injury: An accident or fall can directly lead to nerve compression.
Because the sciatic nerve pathway is so extensive, pressure in your lower back can cause pain and symptoms to radiate to other parts of your body.
A Physical Therapy Approach to Relieving Nerve Pressure
If you are experiencing the recurring, radiating pain of a pinched nerve, a comprehensive evaluation by a physical therapy professional is essential. At Centereach Disc Centers of America, we do not use chiropractic adjustments. Instead, Dr. Malak Azab, as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, utilizes advanced techniques to gently and effectively relieve the pressure on the nerve at its source.
Our goal is to restore the spine’s natural mechanics and create an environment for true healing. Your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: This sophisticated therapy is a primary tool for relieving nerve compression caused by herniated or bulging discs. By gently decompressing the spine, we can take pressure off the nerve root, providing often immediate relief from pain and promoting disc healing.
- Manual “Hands-On” Therapy: Dr. Azab employs skilled manual techniques to address joint restrictions and release muscle tightness (like in piriformis syndrome) that may be contributing to the nerve irritation.
- Therapeutic Exercise: You will be guided through specific exercises, including “nerve glides,” designed to improve nerve mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and enhance spinal stability to prevent future episodes.
- Kineso Taping®: As a Certified Kineso Taping Practitioner, Dr. Azab can use this method to help reduce pain, support tissues, and improve function as you recover.
Find Your Solution to Nerve Pain
If you or someone you know is suffering from the radiating pain of a pinched nerve, we can help. Our expert team can provide an accurate diagnosis and determine if our non-surgical treatment options are right for you. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
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