Sciatica is pain in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. This is typically felt on the back of the thigh and down the back of the leg. There are many potential causes of sciatica. These can include spinal ste... continue reading  about  What's the difference between sciatica and spinal stenosis? What steps should be taken to get the correct diagnosis?

Like all nerves, the sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord and is made up of a bundle of those nerves. It travels within the pelvis, and exits the pelvis to the back of the thigh deep into the buttock. ... continue reading  about  Where exactly is the sciatic nerve? I've had a pain under my right buttocks that runs down the back of my leg to about the knee and hasn't gotten any better in over three weeks. Am I on the right track in suspecting sciatica?

Back pain can generally be divided into two categories: Acute (less than four weeks duration)Chronic (greater than four weeks duration)Acute back pain is very common and is one of the top reasons that patients ... continue reading  about  I've been suffering from lower back pain for two years. I've had an MRI, ultrasounds and x-rays, but they can't find anything wrong. However I still have constant pain. What other tests can be done to find the reason for my pain?

This is a common concern for many patients taking pain medications. Yes, there is a difference between addiction and physical dependence.There are several terms that are important to understand related to takin... continue reading  about  I've been taking vicodin for a number of years because of chronic back pain. My concern is that I've become dependent on them. Is there a difference between physical dependence and addiction?

Acute pain is a pain that has a limited time frame. It usually, though not always, starts suddenly, has an identifiable cause, can be treated, and once treated, the pain subsides. In that sense, since the cause... continue reading  about  What is the difference between acute and chronic pain?

Spinal decompression is essentially a surgery to remove pressure on the spinal cord or nerves within the spinal canal. Depending on the location and severity of the problem, the surgery involves removing parts ... continue reading  about  Could you explain a surgery named spinal decompression, and describe the risks?

There is no real difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. The discs are the cushions which allow motion between the vertebrae in your spine. As time goes on, or from an injury, the discs can weak... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

It is not unusual for patients who take pain medication and are depressed due to chronic pain to have diminished interest in sex. It could be due to the medications, the depression, the chronic pain, diminished... continue reading  about  My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

Often injuries to the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder will refer pain to the upper arm, or even down the arm. If your shoulder and upper arm pain is aggravated by lifting, reaching overhead, and sleeping, ... continue reading  about  My left arm at the shoulder hurts all the time (including lifting things and even when I'm sleeping and turn on that side). I don't recall hurting it in any way. It started hurting several months ago. What could it be and how can I make it stop?