Specialties
Dr. Alex Ching is a fellowship trained and board certified surgeon specializing in spine surgery. He has been in practice for over a decade, and frequently participates in research studies to keep current on the latest treatment methods for spine conditions.
Whenever possible, Dr. Ching recommends nonsurgical treatment for spine conditions, and recommends treatments based on current research. If nonsurgical treatments do not provide sufficient relief, or if symptoms worsen, he may then recommend surgical treatment.
Learn more about Dr. Ching’s specialties with the topics below.
Bulging Discs
Over time, the discs in our spines can lose water content, causing them to stiffen or bulge out. This condition is often called a bulging or herniated disc. Dr. Alex Ching offers both surgical and nonsurgical care for bulging and herniated discs. He is also very involved in research on advanced treatments for bulging discs, having presented on state-of-the-art treatments on a national level. Dr. Ching recommends more conservative treatment whenever possible, but also has extensive training in the latest surgical procedures for bulging discs if needed.
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Sciatica
Though sciatica is often referred to as a spine condition, it is actually a symptom of a spine condition like bulging discs or spinal stenosis in the lower back. Sciatica is characterized by pain that radiates from the lower back, hip, or buttucks down one of the legs due to nerve compression in the lower back. To treat sciatica, Dr. Ching first identifies the cause of nerve compression and makes treatment recommendations based on those findings. Initial treatment is typically nonsurgical, though surgical treatments are available if nonsurgical treatments do not relieve symptoms.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is an arthritic narrowing of the spinal canal. When spinal stenosis occurs, it can put pressure on the nerves that supply the arms and legs, which may lead to back or neck pain, sciatica, or pain and tingling that radiates down one of the limbs. Though initial treatment is typically nonsurgical, spinal stenosis tends to get worse over time as arthritis damage progresses. If nonsurgical treatments are no longer effective, Dr. Ching may recommend surgery to relieve nerve compression and improve the stability of the spine.
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Cervical Disc Replacement
Cervical disc replacement is a newer surgical procedure that may be an option for patients with a bulging or herniated disc in the neck. Traditionally, a herniated disc in the neck would be treated with a spinal fusion. With a cervical disc replacement, the disc is instead replaced with implants that are designed to preserve motion in the spine. Though it is a newer procedure, long-term studies show that it has been very successful in patients that meet the criteria.