Radiculopathy Specialist

Summit Pain Alliance

Pain Management Specialists located in Santa Rosa, CA & Petaluma, CA

Suffering from a pinched nerve in your spine, a condition known as radiculopathy, leads to ongoing pain, numbness, and weakness. If you have a history of radiculopathy issues or are starting to experience symptoms, book an exam at Summit Pain Alliance in Santa Rosa or Petaluma, California, today. You can conveniently schedule a radiculopathy evaluation through the website or over the phone with the office nearest you.

Radiculopathy Q & A

What causes radiculopathy?

The 33 vertebrae that make up your spine are surrounded by nerves that run through the spaces between them.

Although discs should help keep your vertebrae separated, in some cases, bones rub up against one another and “pinch” one or more of your nerves. This is known as radiculopathy.

If you have radiculopathy, it may be associated with one or more of the following conditions:

Bone spurs
Herniated, bulging, or ruptured disc
Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis
Spinal narrowing due to spinal stenosis
Abnormal curvature, as with scoliosis

Your risk of suffering from radiculopathy further increases if you have diabetes because high blood sugar levels are known for decreasing blood flow and damaging nerves.

When should I see a doctor for radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy becomes concerning because it can lead to permanent nerve damage and a lower quality of life. If you have any of the following symptoms, the team at Summit Pain Alliance encourage you to book an exam:

Neck or back discomfort
Shooting, burning, or electrical pains
Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs

The symptoms you experience depend on where the affected nerve is located. With cervical (neck) radiculopathy, for instance, you may feel extreme pain while turning your head.

But lumbar radiculopathy in your lower back can lead to sharp pains that extend all the way down into the heel of your foot. In any case, before your radiculopathy worsens, see how Summit Pain Alliance can help.

How does a doctor treat radiculopathy?

You may need to undergo imaging testing or electromyography (EMG) testing at Summit Pain Alliance to help confirm radiculopathy and pinpoint which nerve is affected.

After diagnosing you, your physician talks with you about your radiculopathy treatment options, which may include:

Acupuncture
Nerve blocks
Physical therapy
Massage therapy
Weight loss management
Corticosteroid injections
Neck immobilization with a soft collar

The team at Summit Pain Alliance specializes in designing radiculopathy treatment plans that don’t require you to depend on pain medications. Rest assured, with the integrative treatments available at the practice, you can experience lasting nerve pain relief.

Click on the online scheduler to book your radiculopathy exam at Summit Pain Alliance today. You can even call either office to speak with a team member to schedule.

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