How To Know When Your Back Pain is Sciatica

Sciatica is a type of nerve pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through each leg. It can cause significant back pain and can be quite debilitating.

Sciatica typically occurs when a herniated disc compresses one or more lumbar nerves in the spine, resulting in inflammation and irritation to the nerve root.

Other causes include spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), piriformis syndrome (tightening of the piriformis muscle, which is located near the hip joint) and spondylolisthesis (slipping of vertebrae). Symptoms may include sharp, shooting pain that radiates down one or both legs; numbness; tingling; and weakness in the legs.

When sciatica occurs, it is important to seek medical treatment right away as it can worsen over time without proper management.

Physical therapy has been found to be one of the most effective treatment options for patients suffering from sciatica.

Physical therapists can create personalized programs that focus on reducing inflammation around the nerve, increasing strength and mobility in the affected area, improving posture to reduce strain on nerves, stretching tight tissues to loosen them up and providing education about methods to prevent re-injury.

Physical therapists may use various manual techniques such as soft tissue massage or mobilization of joints to improve movement and function.

Physical therapy can be a great way to manage sciatica and relieve the associated pain and discomfort without surgery or long-term use of medications.

It is important to seek professional guidance from a physical therapist who can create an individualized plan that works best for you.

We are experts in helping people recover from conditions like sciatica, so make sure that you contact us if you are experiencing pain in your lower back and we can begin to discuss the next steps in your recovery process.

Sciatica can cause significant discomfort and should be taken seriously if left untreated. If you experience any symptoms of sciatica such as sharp shooting pains down your leg or numbness in your lower body, it’s best to seek medical advice right away.

With the proper diagnosis and treatment, sciatica can be managed effectively and you can get back to living pain-free.

In order to get you back to being pain-free, we thought we would talk about the importance of treating sciatica, and the do’s and don’ts of dealing with sciatica in the video below. Check it out!

Common Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is a type of back pain that is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve and usually radiates from the lower back down to the buttocks and legs. The pain can vary in intensity, but it is typically described as a sharp or burning sensation. Some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate sciatica include:

– Pain that worsens when you sit down or during certain activities, such as driving or climbing stairs

– Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one leg

– Sharp shooting pains along your sciatic nerve pathway

– Difficulty moving your legs or controlling them fully

– Pain that increases if you cough or sneeze

– Burning sensations in your legs

– Lower back pain that radiates down the leg

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may be able to determine if your back pain is indeed sciatica and recommend treatment options such as physical therapy, medications, or even surgery in more severe cases. Taking measures to manage your sciatica can help reduce the severity of the pain and prevent further complications.

Treatment Options for Sciatica

Physical therapy is the main treatment option for sciatica. We can help you identify which activities and exercises can relieve your pain. This might include simple stretches, flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, and aerobic activity to improve your mobility and range of motion.

Exercises are an important part of sciatica treatment because they can help strengthen the muscles that support the back and decrease ligament strain on your spine. It’s important to speak with a physical therapist to make sure you’re performing these movements correctly in order to maximize their benefits.

Understanding the cause of your pain is key to successful sciatica treatment. Will will work with you to assess your medical history, perform a physical examination, and ask questions about your symptoms in order to determine the underlying cause of your pain.

Once we get a better understanding of the root cause, we will be able to create an individualized treatment plan that targets those areas and helps relieve or reduce your pain. With comprehensive physical therapy treatment that combines exercise and modalities, you can find relief from sciatica and get back to an active lifestyle.

Still Dealing With Back Pain and Think It May Be Sciatica?

If you are struggling with back pain and think it may be sciatica, make sure that you contact us at Physical Therapy for everyBODY.

Dealing with back pain, especially if it is sciatica, can be frustrating, painful, and will keep you from doing the things you love. That is why we recommend that you come see us so we can help you in  figuring out what is causing your back pain.

So if you want to begin that discussion and start to take the next steps in your recovery, we would love to invite you for a Sciatica Assessment, which will enable you to get a full diagnosis and finally understand the real reason your pain won’t go away!

You can contact us by telephone at 425-658-4944 to claim your sciatica assessment or by completing our enquiry form in under 30 seconds.

Not sure whether physical therapy is right for you?

We appreciate that you may want to find out more and ask some questions about private physical therapy which is you can arrange a FREE Discovery Session or a FREE Telephone Consultation.

Other Free Resources To Help You With Chronic Pain

Download our free pelvic, knee, neck and shoulder, and back pain reports.

Read our blog – What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females

Read our blog – Is It Safe To Exercise With A Bad Back?

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