Do You Know The Truth About Sciatica?

Most of us have resigned to the fact that we’ll experience back pain at some point. Whether it’s the result of a pulled muscle, a slipped disc or just wear and tear—when it comes to back pain, it’s not about if it will happen, but when it will happen.

And because it can run the complete pain spectrum ranging from mild, dull and annoying to persistent, severe and disabling, it’s nearly impossible to know the exact cause behind your discomfort. Not to mention, knowing just what you should be doing to treat it.

So, if you have back pain, where should you start? Our recommendation is getting the low-down on some of the most common culprits. At the top of the list—sciatica. Despite it being a surprisingly common condition (more than 3 million cases per year) it’s often misunderstood. According to Robert Ayer, MD, a neurosurgeon with GMG's Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, this is what you need to know:

1. For starters, sciatica isn’t a medical condition.

Oftentimes, when people hear the term sciatica, they immediately assume that it’s a specific medical condition or illness, but this isn’t the case. Sciatica is actually an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms—pain, numbness or weakness in the back, buttocks and hip—that’s the result of a spinal condition (typically a herniated disc).

2. Sciatica doesn’t just cause leg pain; it causes back pain, too.

Fun fact—your sciatic nerve is actually the largest nerve in your entire body, as well as each of your legs. So, it makes sense that you would feel sciatic pain primarily in your leg(s)—right? Yes. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t also feel pain in your lower back, as well as your buttocks.

And just because you aren’t experiencing pain, doesn’t mean that it isn’t sciatica. Instead, you may feel numbness and weakness.

3. Physical activity doesn’t hurt—it helps.

The natural thing to do when you’re in pain is to rest, but that may only worsen your symptoms. That doesn’t mean you can’t take a few days to relax, but avoiding exercise for an extended period time may weaken muscles and intensify pain. So, even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing, get some exercise. This will help to reduce inflammation and stress. And don’t skip talking with your doctor for safe and effective exercise ideas.

4. It’s not only serious conditions that cause sciatica.

While a herniated or bulging disk is the most common cause of sciatica, there are other conditions that may be to blame, these include:

·         Poor posture

·         Tumor

·         Abscess

·         Blood clot

·         Awkward sitting position

·         Any nerve disorders

          5. Sciatica will go away on its own.

The typical treatment plan for sciatica includes NSAIDS, hot or cold compresses, physical therapy, rest and TLC. And while this usually does the trick, it’s important to work with an expert to ensure you aren’t worsening your symptoms or ignoring an underlying medical condition.

Furthermore, if the pain evolves into weakness or numbness, this may indicate additional damage to the nerve or spinal cord, which may be irreversible if urgent care is not pursued.

Getting back to healthy living.

The worst part of any health condition is not knowing—and back pain is no different. That’s why the experts at Gwinnett Medical Center’s Back Pain Center will provide comprehensive care to get to the bottom of what may be causing your back pain. Their expertise doesn’t stop there, you’ll also receive a customized treatment plan tailored to suit your unique needs and ensure lasting relief. 

7 Surprising Things That Make Your Hands & Feet Fall Asleep

There’s nothing more annoying than when your hand, foot or (insert other appendage) starts tingling and eventually goes numb—you know the feeling. And what’s even worse—the pins and needles you feel as you try desperately to revive circulation and blood flow.

This familiar feeling, often referred to as a body part falling asleep, is actually just a result of pressure or compression. In medical terms, you’re experiencing paresthesia. Thankfully, though, this condition usually only lasts for a matter of seconds or minutes.

But what happens when no amount of shaking or wiggling can get the pins and needles to stop? Tingling sensations in the hands and feet for extended periods of time may be a symptom of an underlying condition. Here are some of the most common culprits:

You have a pinched nerve in your neck or back. Often times, a painful, tingling sensation that extends from your neck or back into your feet may be a sign of a pinched nerve. While this is typically the result of an injury or poor posture, further testing may be required to determine if you have an underlying condition such as arthritis.  

You have a vitamin deficiency. Tingling in the hands and feet may be the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is typically only the case if the sensation occurs in both hands or both feet simultaneously. People with B12 deficiencies also often experience exhaustion, lethargy, and potentially, anemia.  

You have carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury that can cause pain and tingling in the hands and wrists. Repetitive motion and vibration can cause nerve damage which leads to the sensation. While less common, tarsal tunnel syndrome is a similar ailment affecting the feet.  

You have spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is characterized as the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck or back. This puts pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves which can cause a shooting tingling sensation. If untreated, the condition can worsen, potentially causing permanent nerve damage. 

You have diabetes. High blood sugar acts as a toxin to nerves and can cause tingling in the hands and feet, otherwise known as peripheral neuropathy. If you are experiencing excessive thirst or hunger and frequent urination in addition to the tingling, ask your doctor about getting tested.

You have hypothyroidism.An underactive thyroid can cause a plethora of side effects, one of which includes tingling in the hands and feet. Other symptoms include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, dry skin and hair loss. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms you may need to speak to a doctorabout taking a synthetic thyroid hormone to help balance things back out.

You have multiple sclerosis. Tingling sensations, in addition to numbness and weakness, extending through the limbs can be a sign that you may have multiple sclerosis. If you are experiencing other symptoms including double vision, clumsiness and trouble controlling bathroom breaks, an MRI may be necessary to determine if you have the condition.

When you’re on pins and needles

While it’s nearly impossible to prevent paresthesia, or the feeling of a body part falling asleep, all together, you can minimize it. Make sure that you’re supporting healthy circulation by regularly getting up and walking around. If you just can’t seem to shake it off, your primary care provider can help.

The experts of GMG Primary Care will ensure you receive the customized care you deserve, from diagnosis to treatment. With a wide array of services, knowledgeable providers and an extensive range of resources through GMC, you can count on GMG Primary Care for all of your health needs from head to toe.