The American Medical Association estimates that 40% of adults in the U.S. will experience sciatica during their lifetime. For many, however, it becomes a recurrent issue affecting your ability to exercise, work, or enjoy everyday activities.
Our mission here at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists (IPRMS) in Arlington, Virginia, is to develop personalized treatment strategies that stop pain, improve mobility, and restore your quality of life.
We do that with advanced therapies that may range from radiofrequency ablation for nerve involvement to regenerative medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma for painful joint conditions.
However, physical therapy (PT) with targeted exercises, massage, and other “tried and true” modalities is a foundation for many pain management strategies, including those designed to relieve sciatica symptoms.
Read why our team often recommends PT to help resolve recurrent sciatica.
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. It’s typically caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or another issue that compresses or irritates the nerve.
The sciatic nerve controls pain sensations and movement in your legs and feet. The nerve also plays a role in bowel and bladder function.
This means that although the problem often originates in your lower back, where the nerve exits the spine, symptoms often occur in the legs and may include:
Because the sciatic nerve branches and connects with many other smaller nerves along its course to your feet, pain and other symptoms can also occur in the lower back, hips, legs, feet, and toes.
Very rarely, sciatica symptoms can include bowel and bladder dysfunction, which may include unexpected loss of urine or stool (incontinence) or difficulty emptying your bowels or bladder. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Physical therapy focuses on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and strengthening the muscles that support your spine.
For sciatica, your pain management physician designs a personalized treatment plan to:
PT techniques such as heat or ice therapy, manual therapy, and specific stretches can help decrease nerve irritation and provide immediate relief.
Tight muscles, particularly in the lower back, hamstrings, and piriformis, can contribute to sciatica. PT incorporates targeted stretches to improve flexibility and reduce tension on the sciatic nerve.
Weak core and spinal muscles can lead to poor posture and increased stress on the spine. Strengthening these muscles enhances spinal alignment and reduces the likelihood of nerve compression, including sciatica.
Poor posture during sitting, standing, or lifting can worsen sciatica. Your physical therapy program includes learning proper body mechanics and ergonomic adjustments to prevent future flare-ups.
If your sciatica is caused by a condition like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, physical therapy can help manage symptoms while preventing further damage through a tailored exercise program.
Our IPRMS team may also recommend other treatments that help soothe nerves irritated by bone spurs, herniated discs, or degenerative issues. You may, for instance, benefit from an epidural steroid injection or nerve block to reduce pain and inflammation as you participate in a PT program.
One key benefit of physical therapy is its holistic approach. Instead of just masking the pain, it focuses on resolving the underlying issues that cause your sciatica to recur.
Other benefits include:
You don’t have to live with recurrent sciatica. Call (571)732-0044 to schedule a visit at IPRMS today.
