What Exactly Is Sciatica, and How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Understanding sciatica, symptoms, and our evidence-based methods of treatment
Do you struggle with burning, tingling, or aching in your lower extremities? Are you suffering from persistent, unexplained back pain? If you identify with any of these symptoms, you may have a condition known as sciatica.
Patients with sciatica typically experience radiating pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back and down one or both legs. The condition can be caused for a number of reasons, such as a sports injury, a recent accident, or another medical issue.
Persistent pain may cause you to feel limited in activities you enjoy or even simple daily tasks. Luckily, our evidence-based treatment methods can restore your functions and deliver quick results while setting you up for the pain-free life you deserve.
Contact us today to set up an appointment at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy!
What is sciatica, and why does it occur?
Sciatica describes intense pain that travels along the sciatic nerve path, which begins in the lower back. This condition occurs from damage to the sciatic nerve, which supplies the legs and lowers back with normal feeling and function. The sciatic nerves extend to your hips, buttocks, and each leg.
Sciatica symptoms may look different in every patient, depending on the damage, location of pain, or other corresponding conditions.
Evidence suggesting physical therapy is effective in treating sciatica
According to studies based on physical therapy and sciatica, most patients experiencing the condition sample found physical therapy effective in managing their pain.
During treatment, patients involved with the study experienced exercises to reduce pain and discomfort, techniques for improving functional spinal movement, postural therapy, and manual therapy, all of which proved to be valuable with their condition.
Common symptoms of sciatica
Typical sciatica signs and symptoms include:
- Lower back and knee pain
- Radiating pain from the buttocks to one or both legs
- Muscle weakness in one or both legs
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the sciatic area
- Sharp pain that becomes worse with movement
Specific medical conditions can cause sciatica, such as a herniated disc, bone spurs (overgrowth of the bone), or nerve root compression in the lumbar spine. Sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or falls can cause sciatica.
If you’ve had a recent injury or have been suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact our McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy therapists specializing in sciatica.
How physical therapy can help treat your pain
Our evidence-based, results-driven rehabilitation programs at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy are designed to help treat sciatica quickly and efficiently. Rather than resorting to medication management which tends to hide symptoms rather than treat them temporarily, physical therapy is a highly effective, long-term treatment for sciatica.
Typically with sciatica, our focus areas will be the neck, back, legs, and spine. We will focus on tackling your ongoing symptoms with specialized hands-on techniques and practical exercises. Throughout treatment, you may notice a reduction in pressure and pain, allowing you to return to your normal activities.
What to expect during physical therapy at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy
During recovery, our specialists will address your pain with specific exercises that will increase your range of motion, joint mobility, and muscle condition in all affected areas.
We will begin by observing your condition with a comprehensive assessment and customize a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Our rehabilitation plans use scientifically backed methods that help our patients become stronger while working to prevent future episodes.
Patient education is another important aspect of treatment, which may include at-home exercises that your therapist recommends to keep up with treatment in between sessions.
Your therapist may also apply additional modalities, such as electrical stimulation and ultrasound equipment, to target your pain and rapidly reduce symptoms.
Let’s get rid of the pain for good!
If sciatica is getting in the way of your life, our trained specialists at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy are here to help! We can address your pain as soon as possible and get you into a rehabilitation program that works.
If you want to restore your functions and return to the activities you love, we support and guide you through treatment. Don’t wait to resolve the pain!
Call us at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today.