Sciatica is the most common condition that causes pain. Around 40% of Americans experience sciatica in their life. Sciatica can range from mild to severe. You might just need a few treatments to manage a sciatica flare-up, depending on the duration and severity of your discomfort.
Moderate to severe sciatica pain can be handled with rest and self-care. If you are unable to manage sciatica, visit Specialty Care Clinics, our experts are there to treat your pain.
You may need physical therapy when :
Your pain becomes severe:– The severity of your pain depends on how compressed your sciatic nerve is. Weakness or numbness on one side, severe shooting pain, and inability to move your feet are the symptoms of sciatic pain. It may affect bladder and bowel functions if the sciatic nerve becomes compressed in that area. It is advised to consult a healthcare professional and physical therapist if you experience any of these symptoms.
The reason for your pain is injury:– Your symptoms may worsen with moderate sciatica over time and may even go away on their own. It is crucial to visit a healthcare professional and physical therapist if your sciatic symptoms appear after an injury or trauma.
Home remedies stop working:– Sciatica symptoms can be relieved by home remedies. For example, heat and ice therapy can be used for sciatica. Being seated in a reclining chair, which relieves strain on your lower back, can also help. To keep your body moving and prevent it from becoming too tight, you can go for a walk or try gentle exercises.
CAN SCIATICA BE CURED WITH THERAPY?
The longest nerve in the human body is the sciatic nerve, it starts from the base of the lower back and extends down the length of each leg. Sciatica is caused by compression or pinching of the sciatic nerve. One of the common causes of sciatica is herniated disc but any condition that compresses the nerve such as a tumor or bone spur can result in pain. To strengthen and support the muscles supporting the lower back, legs, and abdominal core, physical therapy is recommended for sciatica. Physical therapy may also help in healing and improving mobility, depending on the cause, severity, or underlying injuries. Physical therapy can also help with some of the lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, or working a job that puts pressure on your lower back, which raises your risk of getting sciatica.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN SCIATICA?
Exercise and physical therapy help in strengthening tissues in the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and lower back.
The main objectives of physical therapy and exercise for sciatica are to :
- Restore functional movement patterns without pain.
- Alleviate buttock, thigh, lower back, and leg pain.
- Minimize muscle spasms.
- Restore the lumbar spine’s and the sacroiliac joint’s functionality.
- Improved lower body mobility.
- Improve the lower back’s healing environment.
- Reduce fear related to movement and future pain flare-ups.
Physical therapy can also assist in improving your posture and range of motion, which will help to lessen sciatica symptoms even more and keep them from recurring in the future.
WHEN TO VISIT A DOCTOR?
Self-care methods can usually relieve mild to moderate sciatica flare-ups. However, if your pain is severe and prevents you from working or enjoying regular activities, contact our specialists. A pain management plan is individually tailored to meet your needs. Pain relief plans often include physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.