Are you still having pain in your lower back and legs, even after trying self-care and home remedies? In extreme cases of sciatica, surgery may be recommended. However, most people see significant improvement from conservative treatment options such as physical therapy. Physical therapists use natural modalities that mostly consist of tissue or joint manipulation and gentle movement.
There’s no cookie-cutter treatment approach for sciatica or any other condition. Physical therapists create personalized plans for each patient based on their condition, their body and their treatment goals.
In this article, we’ll talk about what to expect during physical therapy for sciatica, treatments your PT may suggest, and factors that affect the timeline and results.
Sciatica pain relief through physical therapy: What to expect
You can expect to build a close relationship with your physical therapist and work together to determine the best approach to treatment. They’ll begin with a thorough assessment, taking a comprehensive health history and performing a physical examination. This may involve some observation of simple movements. In some cases, they may order imaging tests and tests that measure your nerve function.
Your PT may provide some education on what’s happening in your body and how different treatments or self-care activities may help. You can ask as many questions as you want, and there’s no pressure to move forward until you feel comfortable with your treatment plan. You’ll also set some goals during your first sessions so you’ll know how to gauge your progress.
Most treatment plans for sciatica have a few phases that build toward specific outcomes. The total recovery time varies. Milder cases should improve within a few weeks, and more severe cases may take several weeks or months to get better. Early detection and treatment helps ensure the best results, so you shouldn’t wait to seek an assessment.
Physical therapy approaches that help with sciatica
Physical therapy is the study of promoting healthy musculoskeletal function through movement, targeted stimulation and other natural treatment methods. You have two sciatic nerves that run from the base of the spine through the hips and buttocks, down to the knees. The best treatment plan for your sciatica will depend on what’s causing irritation or compression of these nerves. It could be an injury, the shape of your vertebrae, repetitive movement — especially lifting heavy objects with poor form — physical inactivity, or other causes.
Treatment of sciatica usually involves relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve, increasing circulation to the surrounding tissue, increasing flexibility and movement in the spine, and strengthening the muscles that support the low back and pelvis.
The following physical therapy treatments may help relieve your sciatica:
- Manual therapy techniques — In manual therapy, the PT uses their hands to mobilize tissue and joints in massage-like movements. This can help release tension and stiffness blocking circulation and keeping the sciatic nerve compressed. Spinal manipulation and mobilization techniques specifically help rehabilitate the spine and back.
- Therapeutic exercise and stretching — Targeted exercises can help increase your range of motion and strengthen specific muscles for better support. When your core is in good shape, the tissue in your back can stay supple, flexible and resilient. Your PT may show you stretches and nerve flossing techniques to help mobilize the sciatic nerve. Postural exercises are also helpful to help reduce nerve compression.
- Pain management strategies — Natural pain relief techniques are an essential part of physical therapy for sciatica. Your PT may suggest heat and cold therapy, alternating an ice pack and a heating pad to see what helps most. They’ll advise you on how to modify daily activities for pain relief. It’s best to experiment with different options so you can see what helps most.
- Education components — Understanding your condition will help with treatment decisions as well as management of your self-care at home and preventing reinjury. Your PT may educate you on spinal anatomy, how nerves and muscles work together, or different causes of pain in the lower back and legs.
See an experienced PT for sciatica pain relief at Forever Fit
Sciatica can affect your overall well-being quickly by making it hard to sleep and sit for long periods. Relief is possible, and there are many options to try before resorting to surgery. Physical therapy helps with both pain and improving the function of your lower back and legs. If you’ve been experiencing consistent pain, or if it keeps coming back, you should seek out an assessment.
If your symptoms show up immediately after a traumatic injury or you have severe pain that lasts for more than a few hours, especially with muscle weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control, you should seek emergency medical care.
At Forever Fit, we take spinal health very seriously, and our PTs have the experience to provide safe and effective treatment. We can show you how to reduce your pain and discomfort at your very first visit. We use plain language to help you understand your body and how to care for it. Most importantly, we take the time to listen to our patients and address their concerns.
Ready to move freely and live fully again? We’re here to help. If you live in Maryland between Baltimore and D.C., there’s probably a Forever Fit location near you. Check out our clinics in Severna Park, Frederick, Crofton, Bowie and Gaithersburg. Give us a call today or fill out our appointment request form to get your initial appointment scheduled with us.
