Sciatica pain relief through physical therapy: What to expect

Radiating pain, like sciatica, is a type of discomfort that’s difficult to bear throughout the day. Sciatica pain can come in waves, starting in your lower back and running down the back of your legs. It can impact your everyday routines and overall quality of life if left untreated.

When you’re experiencing regular or worsening sciatica pain, physical therapy is an option worth considering. But if you’ve never gone to physical therapy before, or you’re nervous about what treatment might entail, we’re here to ease those nerves.

Read on to learn the benefits of seeking physical therapy for sciatica pain relief as well as what you can expect during treatment.

How physical therapy can help relieve sciatica pain 

Pain management, for any part of the body, is one of the main reasons why people start physical therapy. Treatments specifically for sciatica pain can help to alleviate inflammation and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve to address the sharp pain, muscle spasms and weakness. 

Finding relief from sciatic nerve pain may be the reason you book an appointment, but physical therapy can help you far beyond reduced pain. You can also gain:

• Increased flexibility and strength of surrounding muscles

• Boosted mobility and function of lower limbs

• Improved spinal stability for proper posture

• Reduced risk of future issues or injuries

• Reduced or eliminated need for surgery

• Knowledge of how to alleviate future flare-ups

What’s involved in physical therapy for sciatica pain?

When you start physical therapy, your therapist will complete a thorough evaluation of your symptoms as well as test your posture, mobility, strength, flexibility and more. They will work with you to determine an effective treatment plan that can not only provide you with relief, but will also improve the quality of the affected area to help you reach your wellness goals.

A variety of physical therapy treatment options may be included in your plan, such as:

• Therapeutic exercises

Exercises are the foundation of nearly every physical therapy treatment plan. Your physical therapist will show you how to safely perform exercises that you can practice at home to continue your progress.

For sciatic nerve pain, you’ll likely do strengthening exercises to improve spinal stability and reduce pressure on the nerve from the surrounding tissue. Stretching exercises can also be beneficial, as they can decrease stiffness and boost flexibility in your spine. The level of intensity of your exercises will gradually increase as your treatment journey goes on.

• Manual therapy

Many physical therapists like to take a hands-on approach when it comes to pain relief. Manual therapy refers to the therapist using their hands to maneuver the affected soft tissue to loosen it up and increase joint mobility.

Manual therapy for sciatica pain relief may include soft tissue mobilization (breaking up scar tissue) and joint mobilization (loosening up restrictive tissue through repetitive joint movements).

• Dry needling

Focusing on the trigger points for sciatica pain, such as the one located in the piriformis (buttocks) muscle and the gluteus minimus (side hip), may bring you some much-needed relief. Dry needling is a technique that involves inserting thin needles to release the trigger points by making the muscles contract, reducing the tension. 

• Rehabilitative taping

Some people with sciatica pain may be recommended kinesiology taping by their physical therapist as a way to manage the pain throughout their everyday tasks.

Rehabilitative tape can reduce the pressure of the tissue surrounding the sciatic nerve by creating space between the skin and muscle as you carry out your daily routines. This also helps to boost blood circulation to the area and accelerate the recovery process by bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area.

Performance Rehab provides sciatica pain relief through physical therapy

We know how much of a challenge that sciatica pain can pose on your quality of life. At Performance Rehab, we’ll help you start your journey toward relief, and be by your side every step of the way.

During your first appointment with us, you’ll learn what to expect from your treatment so that there aren’t any surprises. The mentioned techniques are just a few possible courses of action, not a comprehensive list of options. We also encourage you to ask questions at any time. We prioritize collaboration between you and your physical therapist.

Don’t let pain or injury slow you down. Discover how our personalized performance rehab plans can help you get back to doing what you love — stronger and more confident than ever. Contact us to learn more or request an appointment today.