As a shooting pain specialist, Dr. Verma identifies the spinal conditions responsible for pain that travels into your arms or legs.
He completed fellowship training at UCSF and prioritizes non-surgical options before recommending minimally invasive procedures.
Years of Orthopedic Experience
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Star Patient Rating Across 300+ Reviews
Treats radiating nerve pain in all age groups
Minimally invasive surgery preserving spinal function
Non-surgical approaches are always considered first
Shooting pain originates from a pinched or irritated spinal nerve.
It starts in your neck or back and travels into your arm or leg. This type of discomfort can become severe and interfere with daily activities when left untreated.
Back pain, including shooting pain, affects eight in 10 people at some point in their lives.
When rest, ice, or over-the-counter medications don’t provide relief, Dr. Verma can locate the source and recommend targeted treatment.
Shooting pain occurs when surrounding body tissues place excessive pressure on a spinal nerve. Several spine conditions can trigger this compression.
Dr. Verma conducts a thorough evaluation to identify the source of your radiating discomfort.
He reviews your symptoms and medical history, then completes a physical exam. Imaging studies such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans reveal structural problems in the spine.
Nerve function tests pinpoint the exact location of compression and observe how the affected nerve responds.
Dr. Verma uses this information to create a treatment plan matched to your specific diagnosis.
Dr. Verma provides a wide range of treatments, from conservative care to advanced surgical correction.
Care begins with non-surgical treatment, including rest, activity modification, ice or heat, and physical therapy. Bracing or targeted injections may also reduce pain and inflammation.
Dr. Verma uses minimally invasive spine surgery to treat spinal conditions with less disruption to surrounding tissue. Patients often experience shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.
Spinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae using bone grafts or metal hardware. The procedure stabilises the spine and prevents painful movement that compresses nerves.
A discectomy removes the damaged portion of a herniated disc pressing on a nerve. Removing the disc material relieves pressure that causes radiating pain.
Disc replacement removes a damaged spinal disc and replaces it with an artificial device. The procedure preserves motion while relieving pain.
A laminectomy removes part of the vertebra to create more space for the spinal nerves. This relieves pressure caused by spinal stenosis.
A foraminotomy widens the opening where nerve roots exit the spine. Removing bone or tissue frees the compressed nerve.
Spinal decompression includes procedures that relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. These surgeries create space and reduce pain that travels into the arms or legs.
Revision spine surgery treats problems from prior spine procedures. Dr. Verma corrects issues such as failed fusion, scar tissue compression, or hardware failure.
Shooting pain varies depending on which nerve is affected and how much pressure it’s under.
Symptoms may include:
Sudden, intense discomfort that strikes without warning.
Discomfort that travels from your neck or back into your arms or legs.
Brief, jolting pain that follows a nerve pathway.
Persistent sensations that intensify with movement.
Tingling that signals nerve irritation.
Reduced strength in the affected arm or leg.
Loss of sensation in areas served by the compressed nerve.
You should consult a shooting pain doctor if pain travels from your neck or back into your arms or legs.
Numbness, tingling, weakness, or electric shock sensations along a nerve path also require evaluation.
Symptoms that worsen with sitting, bending, or lifting shouldn’t be ignored. Ongoing discomfort that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter medication needs medical attention.
Seek immediate care for any loss of bowel or bladder control.
Completed advanced training at UCSF in complex spinal deformity.
NYU-trained with Top Doctor recognition.
Nearly 50 peer-reviewed articles in leading spine journals.
Computer-assisted navigation and real-time CT imaging during procedures.
Non-surgical treatments are always explored before recommending surgery.
See how patients have improved after receiving shooting pain treatment from Dr. Verma.
“This patient found me in Southern California after 8 years. I treated him in Seattle when I was a professor at UWMC. At that time he was in a wheelchair and unable to walk. We performed a small surgery on him and he was able to walk again. He was so happy, in fact, that he insisted on speaking to my parents and thanked them as well. When he moved to Southern California, he looked me up and found me once again. I love this story and the pictures. Welcome back to our practice!”
“This lovely patient is 7 years postop from a minimally invasive fusion performed in 2018. In fact, he was my first minimally invasive fusion that I performed in Los Angeles. He has done really well with minimal back or leg pain up to this point. I m always thrilled to see my postop patients many years later. This allows surgeons to see how their interventions hold up over time. In our practice most simple pathology is managed with minimally invasive surgery and often with disc replacement rather than fusion. In either surgery, the procedures involve small incisions and are mostly done outside the hospital setting.”
“Wonderful day of clinic. This lovely patient, 7 years postop dropped by to tell me how well she has done. She reminded me and my staff that I took her to surgery on a weekend with severe pain and weakness. She couldn t even walk at that time. I had totally forgotten the circumstances of her surgery and I was so grateful that she dropped by to give me a hug and make my day. This job is very unique and I am always so grateful for my patients.”
No. Most patients find relief through rest, physical therapy, or injections. Dr. Verma recommends surgery only when conservative treatments don’t provide adequate relief.
Duration depends on the underlying cause. Some cases resolve within weeks with conservative care. Others require intervention when nerve compression persists.
Many patients experience significant relief from minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Verma uses computer-assisted navigation to maximize precision and reduce recovery time.
Recurrence is possible, particularly when degenerative changes continue or new disc problems develop. Dr. Verma follows up after treatment to address any returning symptoms.
General back pain stays localized. Shooting pain radiates along a nerve pathway into your arms or legs, often accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Consult an Orange County shooting pain specialist who listens and explains your options. Dr. Verma recommends treatment based on your diagnosis and clinical findings.
Non-surgical care comes first. Surgery is reserved for cases that don’t respond to conservative treatment.
