Physical Therapy to Relieve Sciatica
Sciatica is a type of leg pain caused by a low back problem. The sciatic nerve arises in the lower back and travels down the buttock to the foot via the back of the leg. There are numerous reasons why the sciatic nerve may be painful.
A herniated disc, stenosis or narrowing of the nerve, hip tightness, or pelvic misalignment are all common causes of sciatica. Sciatica symptoms include leg muscle pain, numbness, tingling, cramping, burning, and weakness. Medication, stretching, and, most importantly, physical therapy can all be used to treat sciatica.
Is Physical Therapy Necessary for Your Sciatica? 3 Signs That It Might
The sciatic nerve is the longest in your body, running from your lower back down your legs to your feet. Sciatica symptoms do not always necessitate physical therapy intervention.
However, PT services can help alleviate pain and discomfort. It can be challenging to tell when treatment is required, but the following three reasons may indicate that you need physical Therapy:
When your pain becomes suddenly worse.
The pain intensity can vary depending on how compressed your sciatic nerve becomes. The tighter it is, the more painful it will be. Severe shooting pain, weakness or numbness on one side, or inability to move your feet are all possible symptoms.
You may lose control of your bladder and bowel function if your sciatic nerve becomes compressed in the area that controls those functions. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your primary doctor and a physical therapist to develop a treatment plan for relieving your pain and returning you to normal function.
Your doctor may perform several tests to rule out any other underlying conditions.
When an injury causes the pain
With mild sciatica, your symptoms may worsen over time and then go away independently. However, if your sciatica symptoms appear immediately after an injury or trauma (such as a car accident, sports injury, or hard fall), you should see your doctor and physical therapist.
Because these symptoms are most likely severe due to an intense impact surrounding the sciatic nerve, it is critical to assess the extent of the damage. Whatever treatment your primary physician recommends, they will undoubtedly recommend Physical Therapy.
When your home remedies stop working.
You can try some common home remedies to help alleviate some of your sciatica symptoms. Alternating ice and heat compress, for example, or sleeping with a pillow between your knees, can help relieve pain and stiffness.
Sitting in a reclining chair can also provide some relief by rerouting pressure away from your lower back. Going for a walk or doing other gentle exercises can also help get your body moving and keep it from becoming too tight.
These are some of the most commonly used at-home pain management methods, but they do not always work. If your home treatments have little to no effect on your pain and restricted motion, or if your symptoms have persisted for more than a week without improvement, you should consult a physical therapist.
If your symptoms worsen, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Physical Therapy can help you get the relief you need from your aches and pains.
Physical Therapy for sciatica: What to expect
The therapist will review your medical history and lifestyle habits and ask questions about your sciatica experience during your first PT appointment. They may inquire about the onset of sciatica, whether an injury or specific event triggered sciatic symptoms, and your level of activity before the start of low back and leg pain.
Your physical therapist may then instruct you to perform simple movements to assess your range of motion, posture, reflexes, and movement ability. You may be asked to bend side to side, flex forward, extend backward, or twist at the waist. The therapist also notices you walking. This part of your exam gives your therapist a baseline assessment of your current condition and how sciatica affects your physical functional ability to perform daily activities.
Like many other treatment options, physical Therapy is not a quick fix and may take several weeks to achieve the desired results. Your treatment plan will include clinic visits with your physical therapist and at-home exercise.
Physical Therapies to Ease Sciatica
Because it can aid in the reduction of inflammation and pain, the improvement of physical function, and the prevention of the recurrence of sciatica symptoms; furthermore, your physical therapy program may teach you how to improve your posture and frequently includes a home exercise program for long-term, improved physical health.
A physical therapist will design a rehabilitation program to alleviate or eliminate pain, normalize body mechanics to relieve nerve compression, improve core muscle strength and muscle and nerve flexibility, and optimize functional activity. The Home Exercise Program, an essential part of the rehabilitation process, will also be designed.
Manual Therapy and stretching techniques may help to reduce nerve compressive forces caused by hip joint dysfunction, muscle spasm, and other factors. Some sciatic pain may be relieved by strengthening the spinal column and its supporting tendons and muscles. Strong core muscles reduce pain by supporting the spine and keeping it aligned, reducing the likelihood of future sciatica.
Stretching is also advised and is intended to target muscles that cause pain when tight and rigid. Stretching the sciatic nerve, designed to glide freely between muscles, fascia, and other structures in the body, is also essential. Nerve stretching exercises, also known as “nerve glides” or “neural flossing,” are a common component of sciatica rehabilitation.
Low-impact aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming, or swimming can also help with sciatica. Aerobic activity encourages the exchange of fluids and nutrients, which aids in recovery. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, are known to be released during aerobic exercise.
Physical Therapy and Exercise Goals in Sciatica Treatment
Exercise and physical Therapy help to strengthen and mobilize tissues in the lower back, pelvis, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs.
The following are the goals of Physical Therapy and exercise in the treatment of sciatica signs and symptoms:
- Restore pain-free functional movement patterns.
- Reduce pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, and legs.
- Muscle spasms should be reduced.
- Restore the function of the lumbar spine and the sacroiliac joints.
- Lower-body mobility is being improved.
- Improve the healing environment in the lower back.
- Encourage neurological adaptations to decrease pain perception.
- Reduce your fear of moving by preventing future pain flare-ups.
Physical Therapies to Ease Sciatica
Back2health Physical Therapy specializes in back pain and sciatica treatment and rehabilitation. We take pride in providing the best physical Therapy available and going above and beyond for our patients.
Our highly skilled physical therapist will collaborate to improve your function and alleviate your pain. We begin by evaluating the entire body. The source of pain or injury often extends far beyond the body part or muscle in question.
Not all diagnoses are the same. One person suffering from low back pain may have completely different limitations than another. Your recovery program should be tailored to your body’s requirements rather than simply following a generic exercise regimen that you can find online.
Just because your pain is lessened or you can walk farther does not mean you are functioning at the desired level. While this is often the end of care at a typical PT clinic, we continue guiding you until you’ve successfully met every goal you set for yourself with us on day one. Call us today to make an appointment!
