Sciatica can be a difficult condition to manage. Often causing pain in the back, legs and hips, sciatica can have a significant impact on your comfort level and physical capacity. One characteristic symptom is a shooting pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. As the largest and longest nerve in the human body, the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and both legs. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, the resulting condition is called sciatica.
Sciatica may seem intimidating. However, there are many physical therapy treatments that can help address this condition. Many of these treatments can provide rapid and lasting relief. In addition to more traditional forms of physical therapy, one popular choice for sciatica treatment is dry needling. This treatment involves the application of sterile needles to the affected area. Using these needles, your physical therapist can trigger healing processes in injured tissue. Another benefit of dry needling is the release of muscle tension. Discovering the many benefits of dry needling for sciatica can help show why this innovative technique is so popular.
Choosing dry needling for sciatica treatment: 6 advantages
- Precise pain relief — Dry needling involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. These include areas with localized pain. Trigger points, also known as muscle knots, are a common target. Dry needling therapy for sciatica aims to stimulate a localized twitch response in these muscles. One major outcome of this response is the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. This makes dry needling a great way to experience localized pain relief without the intervention of pain medication.
- Muscle relaxation — A primary goal of dry needling is the release of muscle tension. The insertion of needles into tense muscles prompts them to relax and become more flexible. Muscle knots can make relaxing feel impossible. Dry needling can release these trigger points, enabling your muscles to feel more comfortable again. This can also help reduce muscle spasms and alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. By relaxing the muscles around the sciatic nerve, dry needling can help you work toward a long-term solution for sciatica.
- Improved healing — Dry needling works to increase blood circulation in the affected area. When fresh blood enters a part of the body, it brings valuable nutrients and resources to that region. This can help promote healing in injured tissue. While managing your current symptoms, dry needling for sciatica can also improve your recovery time. This can help you get back to your normal capacity as soon as possible.
- Enhanced mobility — Sciatica can cause stiffness, restricting your range of motion. Movements such as bending your back or even walking can be more challenging when you have sciatica. By helping to relieve your stiffness, dry needling can help restore your mobility. This can help enable you to return to your regular daily activities. Enhanced mobility from dry needling can also help reduce your risk of recurrent symptoms as your muscles grow more flexible.
- Minimally invasive treatment — Prescription medication and injections are sometimes used for short-term sciatica relief. These methods tend to be more invasive than physical therapy. At the same time, they do not offer physical therapy’s long-term benefits. With dry needling, you can receive a treatment for sciatica that works by triggering natural processes in your body. By using minimally invasive as well as noninvasive treatments, you can reduce the risk of treatment complications.
- Holistic approach — Physical therapy is a holistic discipline; your physical therapist will look at all aspects of your condition in relation to each other. You will be evaluated as a person rather than a diagnosis. This means your physical therapist can offer more effective interconnected treatments. While dry needling is often effective on its own, it can also be highly beneficial when combined with other treatments. Your personalized physical therapy treatment plan for sciatica may include dry needling sessions in addition to methods like manual therapy and specialized stretches. This makes dry needling part of a comprehensive approach to pain management and long-term health improvement.
Receive dry needling treatment for sciatica at Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness
While sciatica is an often uncomfortable condition, dry needling can help alleviate your symptoms and promote real healing around your sciatic nerve. At Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness, our team is ready to guide you each step of the way to recovery. With a range of treatment options available to integrate into your plan, we can help you find a sciatica solution that meets your needs.
Contact us at our Burtonsville, Rockville or Largo locations today for more information about dry needling or to schedule an initial PT appointment.