Sciatica

The term sciatica describes a symptom of pain through the leg caused by an issue in the lower back. The sciatic nerve starts at the lower back and goes down towards the buttocks, branching out from the back leg to the foot. There are many causes of sciatica, as it can result from a herniated disc, stenosis, tightness in the hip, or misalignment of the pelvis. Symptoms that persist with sciatica may include pain, numbness, tingling, cramping, burning, and weakness in the muscles involved with the leg.

If you are suffering from sciatica, it is highly recommended that you seek care from a  licensed physical therapist. Some forms of treatment include muscle energy techniques, mobilizations, spinal stabilization, and core strengthening exercises, and patients will oftentimes respond to moving in certain directions. People suffering from sciatica sometimes find relief when exercising or moving in a backwards bending position, and exercising in a neutral spine position is an absolute necessity. Since there are different levels and degrees of sciatica, a physical therapist must evaluate each patient on a case-by-case basis to determine what exercise regimen would be best. While moving is the last thing a person suffering from sciatica would want to do, remaining active is a must in order to treat the symptom, as more rest results in the pain lasting longer. Increasing blood flow to the disk and nerve rids the body of the chemicals causing the inflammation. A physical therapist will be able to prescribe exercises in order to stay active and reduce the swelling.

Access Physical Therapy & Wellness treats all patients with optimal care, and if you believe you are suffering from sciatica, please feel free to call and make an appointment or stop by our practice in order to get a professional evaluation. Sciatica can be a crippling symptom but there is no reason why you should be stuck on the couch suffering in pain. The licensed physical therapists at our practice are ready and willing to help you with your sciatica and get you back to a pain-free life!

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!