Physical Therapy – An Effective Option for Sciatica

Physical Therapy – An Effective Option for Sciatica Physical therapy is an effective option to treat sciatica, and helps improve physical function, muscle strength, and quality of life.

The sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the body, starts in the lower spine and goes down the lower back and through your hip and buttock and leg, where it divides into two branches at the knee.

Sciatica is back pain caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve, leading to inflammation, pain and some numbness in the affected leg. Physical therapy in Brooklyn is a good treatment option for sciatica. Leading healthcare centers offer physical therapy in combination with pain relief medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, meditation and nerve blocks.

Physical therapy to relieve sciatica nerve pain In a reliable healthcare center, pain management doctors will conduct physical and neurological exams, and if necessary, imaging tests such as x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose the condition. Based on the diagnosis, they will develop a customized physical therapy program. It may include aerobic conditioning, strengthening exercises, and movements to increase flexibility and range of motion. Engaging in a regular program of gentle exercises helps patients recover more quickly from sciatica pain and also reduces the likelihood of future episodes of pain.

Physical therapy exercises ▪

Strengthening exercises

These exercises can help strengthen the spinal column and the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They include back exercises that focus not only on the lower back, but also on the abdominal (stomach) muscles and gluteus (buttock) and hip muscles. Strong core muscles can provide pain relief as they support the spine, keep it in alignment, and facilitate movements that extend or twist the spine with less chance of injury or damage.

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Stretching exercises

Stretching exercises target muscles that cause pain when they are tight and inflexible. Hamstring stretching is an important part of a sciatica exercise program. Most people do not stretch these muscles (which extend from the pelvis to the knee in the back of the thigh) in their daily activities. Another stretch that helps alleviates sciatica pain is the Bird Dog move. The Bird Dog move is performed as follows: Place your hands and knees on the floor. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders and the knees directly under your hips. Then pull your abs in to your spine. Keeping your back and pelvis still and stable, extend your right arm forward and left leg back. Then return to the starting position and place your hand and knee on the floor. Repeat on the other side also.

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Low-impact aerobic exercises

Low-impact cardiovascular exercises such as walking, swimming, or pool therapy are generally a component of recovery. Aerobic activity encourages the exchange of fluids and nutrients to create a better healing environment. Aerobic conditioning has the unique benefit of releasing endorphins (the body's natural pain killers) which help reduce sciatic pain.

These exercises may be done separately or in combination with others. Some of the examples of lowimpact aerobic exercises include both strengthening and stretching includes yoga, tai chi and Pilates.

In addition, your physical therapist may recommend passive treatments such as:

✓ Deep tissue massage- This therapy targets chronic muscle tension that could be pressing on your sciatic nerve or related nerve roots. Physical therapist uses direct pressure and friction to release the tension in your soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, muscles.

✓ Hot and cold therapies - This involves applying heat and cold to the affected area. The most commonly used heat and cold applications are heating pads, dry heating packs, saunas, steamed towels, moist heating packs, or hot baths, ice packs or frozen gel packs, coolant sprays, ice massage and ice baths. These treatments help ease pain and reduce inflammation.

✓ TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) – TENS utilizes low-voltage electrical current for pain relief.

✓ Ultrasound – This therapy sends sound waves deep into your muscle tissues and creates a gentle heat that improves circulation and helps speed up healing. In fact, increased circulation helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness as well as pain.

If you are seeking sciatica treatment, approach a reliable multispecialty healthcare center. Physical therapists and physical therapy assistants at such healthcare facilities work with the other healthcare professionals to help patients achieve optimal functional ability, strength and mobility.