Herniated or Bulging Discs
Spinal discs act like cushions between the bones of the spine. Over time, or after injury, a disc may bulge or rupture, placing pressure on nearby nerves.
Sciatica Treatment • San Diego County
Sciatica Treatment in San Diego
Sciatica is irritation of the sciatic nerve. Your board-certified physician finds what is pressing on the nerve and builds your plan around the most advanced non-surgical options.
- No Referral Needed for Most Plans
- Coverage Verified Before Your Visit
- Monthly Payment Plans Through Cherry
- Regional Leaders in Treating Chronic Pain
- 4 Clinics Across San Diego County
Booking as a Veteran, Priority Scheduling Requested
- 4 Clinics Across San Diego CountyKearny Mesa · Rancho Bernardo · La Mesa · Chula Vista
- Office HoursMon–Thu 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm - Call Your Care Team(858) 571-3630
Know the signs
Is It Sciatica?
Low back pain stays mainly in the lumbar area, while sciatica describes pain or neurologic symptoms traveling along an irritated nerve into the buttock or leg.
When to get help right away. Seek urgent care for new bowel or bladder problems, numbness around the groin, rapidly worsening leg weakness, major trauma or fever. Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.
- Pain Radiating into the Hips or Buttocks
- Shooting Pain Down the Leg
- Burning Sensations
- Tingling or Numbness
- Weakness in the Legs or Feet
- Leg Pain That Is More Disruptive Than Back Pain
What causes it
Something Is Pressing on the Nerve
Disc-Related Inflammation
Disc material and the surrounding inflammatory response can irritate nearby nerves, producing radiating pain and neurologic symptoms.
Spinal Stenosis
Spaces in the spine narrow and place pressure on nerves. Patients often notice pain while walking, leg heaviness or weakness, and relief when leaning forward.
Your first visit
Finding the Real Cause
Because many structures in the spine can cause pain, proper diagnosis matters.
Medical History
Your provider asks when pain started, what worsens or relieves it, your daily activities and any previous injuries or treatments.
Physical Examination
Your exam may check flexibility, muscle strength, reflexes, walking patterns and nerve function.
Imaging When Needed
Depending on symptoms, an MRI provides detailed images of discs, nerves and soft tissues.
How we treat it
Your Treatment Options
Most patients improve with non-surgical treatments. When conservative care is not enough, advanced pain treatments may help.
Conservative Care
The foundation of recovery: safe movement, anti-inflammatory and nerve pain medications, and heat or cold therapy.
Epidural Steroid Injection
An outpatient, image-guided procedure that places anti-inflammatory medication near an irritated spinal nerve root.
Caudal Steroid Injection
An image-guided epidural injection through a small natural opening at the base of the spine that delivers anti-inflammatory medication around irritated lower spinal nerves.
Spinal Disc Decompression
Minimally invasive, image-guided procedures that reduce pressure inside a damaged spinal disc to relieve irritation of nearby nerves.
Percutaneous Discectomy
A minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that removes a small amount of disc material through a needle-sized opening to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve.
Spinal Cord Stimulation
A small implanted device sends mild electrical pulses near the spinal cord, changing how pain signals reach the brain. Persistent sciatica symptoms may respond to it.
Not sure which treatment fits?
Take the 60-Second Treatment Finder
Answer a few quick questions to see which advanced treatment may fit your pain, then talk it through with a specialist at the clinic closest to you.
- 1Tell Us Where It Hurts & What You've Tried
- 2See Your Closest Treatment Match
- 3Bring Your Results to Your Specialist Visit
Your care team
Board-Certified Pain Physicians
California Pain Consultants physicians care for patients across our four San Diego County clinics.
What patients say
4.5★ on Google from 1,500+ Reviews
Derek PA was great. I was nervous to go in and see another pain Dr and have to explain my entire history. He quickly understood me and help me to relax. He is knowledgeable and caring!!
I would refer Dr. Cohen/Dr Wu and the rest of the team at California Pain Consultants to anyone who has had pain running their lives and would like to be treated with respect and understanding. They have lots of options to help with pain.
Both the doctor and his assistant were very calming, answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable. I have only had positive experiences during my various visits. Everyone seems committed to understanding the source of my pain and finding the correct…
Insurance
We Accept Most Insurances
Coverage varies by individual plan and treatment. Our team confirms your specific benefits before you’re seen.
- Aetna
- Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Medicare
- TriCare
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC)
- Health Net
- CHG
- Health Excel
- IHP
- SCMG
- SRS
- Primary Care Associates
Don’t See Your Plan?
Insurance networks change regularly. Call us and we’ll check your plan in a few minutes.
Your questions
Before Your First Visit
What is the difference between low back pain and sciatica?
Low back pain stays mainly in the lumbar area, while sciatica describes pain or neurologic symptoms traveling along an irritated nerve into the buttock or leg. Tingling, numbness, or weakness may accompany sciatica.
How long does relief from an epidural injection last?
Relief varies from person to person. Cleveland Clinic reports that relief may last for weeks to months but rarely up to a year, and that approximately half of people experience temporary relief. The injection works best when it opens a window for physical therapy and activity, which may help extend the benefit.
Will disc decompression help my back pain or my leg pain?
Disc decompression is usually most helpful for radiating pain, such as sciatica or arm pain caused by a disc pressing on a nerve. Back or neck pain without nerve symptoms may come from joints, muscles, or the vertebral endplates and may respond better to other treatments. Your evaluation clarifies which pain source is driving your symptoms.
When is back or leg pain an emergency?
Seek urgent care for new bowel or bladder problems, numbness around the groin, rapidly worsening leg weakness, major trauma, fever, severe abdominal pain, or back pain with a history of cancer or significant infection risk.
Do I need a referral?
Most plans we work with don’t require a referral to see us. Some HMO plans do. When you book, our team checks your plan’s rules and tells you exactly what’s needed.
What if my plan isn’t listed?
Call us at (858) 571-3630. Insurance networks change regularly, and our team can check your specific plan in a few minutes.
Your Relief Starts with One Request
Request your appointment in two quick steps. Your care team calls you to confirm a time at the clinic closest to you.
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