Does Physical Therapy Help Sciatica Pain?
3/11/2024
If you’ve been struggling with sciatica pain and feel like you’re losing the battle, you are definitely not alone. According to Harvard Health, sciatica pain is one of the most common types of pain, and approximately 40% of people will experience it at some point during their lifetime.
You might have turned to numerous solutions to try to finally rid your body of sciatica pain once and for all, only to come away with little to no pain relief. All hope is not lost, however. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does physical therapy help sciatica pain,” you might be reassured knowing that the answer is often a resounding yes.
What Actually Causes Sciatica Pain?
The first step toward being able to truly conquer sciatica pain is understanding what it is and what causes it. Put simply, sciatica pain is caused by pressure on or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Of the 7 trillion nerves in our body, this nerve is both the longest and thickest, and it extends from the lower back down through the back of each of your legs.
The size of the nerve and the degree of wear and tear it is subjected to can all lead to intense pain. The most common causes of sciatica pain include:
- Herniated discs in the lower back
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Physical trauma and injuries
- Tumors
- Pregnancy
Sciatica pain can also become more prevalent with age as we tend to put our bodies through a lifetime of rigorous activities that can lead to injuries and disc damage.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Not all pain is created equal, so you may have difficulty distinguishing sciatica pain from other types of pain. To determine whether your pain is related to the sciatic nerve, be on the lookout for the following sciatica symptoms:
- Low back pain
- Pain in the leg or buttocks region
- Tingling or numbness ranging from the low back down to the foot
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty standing or sitting
- Pain when bending over, coughing, or sneezing
- Increased or decreased sensitivity in the leg or foot
- Difficulty walking
Depending on the root cause of your sciatica pain, the symptoms could be constant or intermittent. It is important to consult with a health professional, like a physical therapist in Katy, TX, to determine what is causing the pain and develop a custom treatment plan.
How a Physical Therapist Can Help Sciatica Pain
There are various methodologies to both relieve and reduce pain associated with sciatica, including steroid injections, medication, massage, and even surgery. Working with a physical therapist can be particularly effective because they will develop specific exercises for you that can strengthen surrounding muscles, improve your flexibility and range of motion, and correct postural issues that exacerbate pain.
Contact a Katy, TX, Physical Therapist for Sciatica Pain Relief
At Spero Rehab, our team of skilled, compassionate therapists has been helping patients in Katy resume living a pain-free lifestyle since 2005. We believe in taking a holistic, patient-centered approach to help you get back to where you want to be. To explore your options for relieving sciatica pain, contact us to request an appointment.