Patient education library
Plain-language answers about spinal stenosis, discs, sciatica, neck pain and everyday spine health, from our Santa Monica practice.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis: finally, some answers
Leg pain that builds when you walk and eases when you sit is one of the most common signs of spinal stenosis. Here's what's happening, and what can be done about it.
Read articleSpinal stenosisScoliosis: myths, causes and what you can do
Scoliosis isn't just something teenagers are screened for. It's common in adults, and it can contribute to back pain, arthritis and stenosis.
Read articleSciatica, discs & nerves
Is my leg pain sciatica?
Lots of people say they have sciatica when what they mean is "my leg hurts." Here's what sciatica really is, and why the cause matters.
Read articleSciatica, discs & nervesSciatica: there are real answers
Most sciatica settles within a few weeks. When yours doesn't, it usually means the true cause, or causes, haven't been found yet.
Read articleSciatica, discs & nervesDisc bulges, herniations, protrusions and extrusions: what's the difference?
If you've had back pain, you've probably seen these terms on an MRI report or online. Are they all the same thing? Yes and no.
Read articleSciatica, discs & nervesNot all nerve pain is the same
Numbness, tingling and shooting pain can come from very different problems. Telling radiculopathy from neuropathy is the first step toward the right treatment.
Read articleSciatica, discs & nervesIs your MRI telling the whole story?
An MRI shows your anatomy in remarkable detail. What it can't show is pain. That's why the scan is only half the story.
Read articleNeck pain, headaches & dizziness
Headache pain is not all the same
Headaches vary enormously in where they hurt, how strong they are and what causes them. Knowing which type you have is the first step to the right care.
Read articleNeck pain, headaches & dizzinessWhat do you know about vertigo?
You get out of bed and suddenly the room is spinning. That's vertigo, and it's not quite the same as feeling dizzy.
Read articleNeck pain, headaches & dizzinessDon't let your phone be a pain
Most of us spend hours a day looking down at a phone. Over time, that adds up to real strain on the neck and upper back.
Read articleTreatment options
Do you really need back surgery?
Spine surgery can be the right answer, but it is rarely an emergency. Here's how to think it through before you decide.
Read articleTreatment optionsWill non-surgical spinal decompression relieve your back pain?
Spinal decompression is a form of traction, but a much more precise one. Here's how it works and who it can help.
Read articleTreatment optionsShots! Shots! Shots! What to know about pain injections
Injections can offer quick relief, so they've become very popular. But relief is often short-lived. Here's an honest look at the most common options.
Read articleEveryday habits
The benefits of stretching daily
Daily stretching is simple, free and one of the most effective things you can do for lower back pain, disc problems and spinal stenosis.
Read articleEveryday habitsIs your stationary bike causing your lower back pain?
Riding more at home or on the road? Many of our patients with new lower back pain have one thing in common: tight hip flexors.
Read articleEveryday habitsIs your computer killing you?
It's 3 p.m., your shoulders are tight, your lower back aches and a headache is building behind one eye. Your desk setup may be part of the problem.
Read articleEveryday habitsHealthy sleeping habits for a healthier back
You spend about a third of your life asleep. How you sleep, and what you sleep on, can help or hurt your back and neck.
Read articleEveryday habitsHealing in meditation
Pain and stress feed each other. Meditation is a simple, well-studied way to break that cycle, and you can start with five minutes a day.
Read articleEveryday habitsCould the length of your legs be causing your back pain?
A small difference in leg length is easy to miss, but over years it can add uneven stress to your hips and spine.
Read articleJoints & tendons
How did I get tennis elbow? I don't even play tennis!
You wake up with a sore elbow. Brushing your teeth hurts, reaching for the remote hurts, and then you're told it's tennis elbow. But you don't play tennis.
Read articleJoints & tendonsOsteoarthritis vs. inflammatory arthritis: what's the difference?
As we age, joint aches become more noticeable and many people wonder whether it's arthritis. But not all arthritis is the same.
Read articleGet a clear answer about your spine.
Start with a thorough two-part evaluation with Dr. Peter Le. If non-surgical care isn't right for you, we'll tell you - and point you to who is.