Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated. The pain primarily affects the legs, butt, and lower back. When you have sciatica, the resulting pain tends to occur with other symptoms, such as a feeling of numbness or a tingling sensation. Most patients with the condition get rid of it with medications, stretching, and/or physical therapy. On rare occasions, i.e., when the above treatment options fail, patients need to undergo surgery.
This write-up discusses the role of physical therapy in the treatment of sciatica pain. Read through the section below to know more.
Sciatica Pain and Physical Therapy
Doctors frequently recommend physical therapy to patients suffering from sciatica pain. It not only treats the condition and offers pain relief but also prevents recurrence of the problem. Here are a few things your physical therapists may do:
- Therapists use programs that target the hip, gluteal, and abdominal muscles of the patient and make them stronger.
- Specific stretching techniques are used to release tension from the affected nerve and reduce pain.
- Exercises that strengthen the pelvis and lower back are extremely beneficial for patients suffering from sciatica pain.
- Correcting the posture is essential for preventing the recurrence of sciatica pain. Your therapist will teach you the proper way to sit, walk, bend, and lift to prevent your sciatic nerve from becoming irritated or compressed again.
Exercises for Pain Reduction and Muscle Strengthening
When you suffer from sciatica pain, you must focus on making the muscles in your legs, back, abdomen, and buttocks stronger. Therapists will make you do hamstring stretches and piriformis stretches to strengthen the above muscles.
Performing these movements will reduce inflammation of the sciatic nerve by relieving pressure. Once the inflammation is gone, you will experience pain relief.
Once you experience pain relief, your therapist will shift his/her focus to strengthening your core muscles, i.e., the muscles that support your core. To be more precise, you will have to perform exercises that strengthen the muscles forming the area between your midback and pelvis.
Having strong core muscles will ensure your spine has greater support, which will protect your sciatic nerve against further injuries. You will have a healthier posture, and thereby your chances of getting sciatic pain will be reduced significantly. Examples of exercises therapists use to strengthen the core muscles of patients with a history of sciatica pain include planks, bridges, and pelvic tilts.
Techniques Used for Improving Posture
Your chances of irritating or compressing your sciatica nerve are higher if you need to sit for extended periods or if you have a slouching posture. Your therapist will teach you techniques to help you keep your body properly aligned while sitting or standing. The process is called postural retraining.
The expert can also advise you to make some ergonomic adjustments to your daily actions and workspace, which are often the main culprits of spoiling posture.
Therapy for Prevention
If you visit a trusted therapist, you will see your pain decrease from the first session of physical therapy. Soon, you will see that the frequency of your pain episodes has decreased. What’s more, your pain will be completely gone after a few weeks of undergoing the therapy.
Even when the pain’s gone, you should continue getting therapy for the prevention of flare-ups. The frequency of sessions, however, will be much less compared to the curative stage. Some of the exercises you will be performing at this stage include clamshells, bird dog, pelvic tilts, etc.
Conclusion
If you have sciatica pain and the doctor has advised you to seek physical therapy, contact Magnet Health. Magnet Health will connect you to some of the most experienced and skilled physical therapists in New York.
The clinic will help you get an appointment according to your convenience. They even arrange same-day appointments for patients with extreme pain. It means you will be able to start the treatment immediately.
FAQ
What are some common symptoms of sciatica pain?
If you have pain that moves down your buttocks, affecting the back of your thigh and calf, it’s possibly sciatica. The pain typically affects one side of the body and occurs along with a tingling sensation or numbness in the affected area. Some patients also experience muscle weakness along with the pain.
Why is physical therapy the most preferred treatment for sciatica pain?
Physical therapists representing top clinics like Magnet Health offer customized plans that focus on the specific requirements of patients. When you undergo physical therapy, you get rid of pain without painkillers. This saves you from debilitating side effects. Physical therapy also improves the mobility of sciatica patients.
How long will I have to take the services of a physical therapist?
Your doctor and physical therapist are the best people to decide the duration for which you need to undergo physical therapy.