How Physical Therapy Can Help With Sciatica

Sciatica is the result of pain from the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body. It is located from the lower back all the way down to your knee. Sciatica is a common result of a lumbar disc herniation. This causes the lumbar disc herniation to directly press on the nerve and cause inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can also cause tingly, numbness, or weakness making the normal simple task of walking very difficult and painful. The pain usually radiates down the lower back down to the thigh and leg. Sometimes the pain can be found around the hip and feel like hip pain. The symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist. People usually find relief when they lay down.

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose sciatica with a physical exam and medical history. Sometimes x-rays and MRI scans are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica. Once you are diagnosed with sciatica, consult with a physical therapist to get a specialized treatment plan for your specific condition. Including specific exercises which incorporate a combination of strengthening and stretching.

Strengthening exercises help make the spine and all the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons stronger. Most of these exercises not only focus on the areas that are in pain, but all of the core muscles because they help support the spine. This will keep everything aligned and extended to different sorts of movement you weren’t doing before physical therapy.

Stretching exercises are recommended to reduce sciatica pain. These exercises are designed to target the muscles that cause pain when they were tight and inflexible. The most common stretch for sciatica in a physical therapy program is the hamstring stretch.

When people suffering from sciatica engage in a regular program of physical therapy and do stretching and strengthening exercises, the road to recovery can be quick and successful.

We feel like we have the best physical therapists around. Did you know you don't need a referral to get help from a Physical Therapist? Direct access is available for you, please call us and set up an evaluation so we can help get you back on your feet. In Orange County we offer Physical Therapy in Chester, Goshen, Monroe, Port Jervis, and Montogmery. Westchester County has Physical Therapy in Armonk, Bedford, and Hawthorne. In Ulster County we offer Physical Therapy in Wallkill, while in Sullivan County you can get Physical Therapy in Ferndale. To round out our 12 locations in New York, those living in Rockland County can go to Physical Therapy in New City as well as Pomona.  If you happen to live in PA, we also have Physical Therapy in Milford and Dingmans Ferry of Pike County.  Give us a call today!