Are you suffering from pain or discomfort in your lower back, buttocks, or legs? You may have sciatica. Sciatica is common when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs, becomes compressed or irritated. The pain associated with sciatica can be severe and significantly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, physical therapy can provide effective treatment for relieving sciatica pain and helping you get back to your normal activities. At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, our skilled physical therapists offer a comprehensive evaluation to determine the root cause of your sciatica and develop a treatment plan.
Manual Therapy Techniques for Sciatica
Standard physical therapy treatment for sciatica uses manual techniques such as soft tissue, joint, and spinal mobilization. These techniques involve using hands-on pressure and movement to stretch and loosen tight muscles and connective tissue in the lower back, hips, and legs to improve range of motion, reduce inflammation and pain, and promote healing.
Therapeutic Exercises for Sciatica
Another important aspect of physical therapy for sciatica is therapeutic exercises. Strengthening and stretching exercises can help improve the stability and support of the lower back and legs, reducing the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Your physical therapist may recommend specific exercises tailored to your individual needs, such as:
- Pelvic tilt exercises – Involves lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor and gently tilting your pelvis upward to engage your lower abdominal muscles. This exercise can help improve the stability of the lower back and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Hamstring stretches – Tightness in the hamstrings can contribute to sciatica pain. Your physical therapist may recommend specific stretches to help improve the flexibility of the hamstrings and reduce pain.
- Lumbar stabilization – Involves strengthening the muscles that support the lower back, including the core muscles, to improve the stability of the lower back and reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Please note that it is important to consult with one of our licensed physical therapists before starting therapeutic exercises for sciatica. They will ensure that the exercises are performed correctly to avoid further injury or exacerbation of symptoms. Our physical therapists can also provide education on proper body mechanics and posture to help prevent future episodes of sciatica.
Modalities for Sciatica
In addition to manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercises, your physical therapist may also use modalities to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with sciatica, including:
- Electrical stimulation – Involves using small electrical currents to stimulate the muscles and nerves in the affected area, which can help reduce pain and improve circulation.
- Heat therapy – Applying heat to the affected area can help improve circulation and reduce muscle tension, which can help alleviate sciatica pain.
- Cold therapy – Applying cold to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and swelling, which can help alleviate sciatica pain.
Get Started with Twin Boro Today!
Don’t wait to begin your recovery journey and take control of your sciatica pain. At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, we understand the challenges of living with sciatica pain. We are committed to providing effective and personalized physical therapy treatment to help you achieve lasting relief. Contact us today at 732.554.0775 or by completing an appointment request form at https://twinboro.com/schedule-appointment.html.
