Searching for Relief from Sciatica Pain? Try Physical Therapy Today!
Is Your Sciatica Pain Holding You Back?
At Stride Physical Therapy, we understand how debilitating sciatica symptoms can be. Fortunately, treatment with a licensed physical therapist can help.
If you’re looking for a way to return to the active lifestyle you love, contact Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ today to learn about our powerful personalized treatment plans.
How Can I Tell if I Have Sciatica?
“Sciatica” describes a set of painful symptoms caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve, often due to a herniated or bulging spinal disk. Common symptoms include:
Leg pain
Numbness
Tingling
Weakness in the legs
Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe and can be effectively treated with the help of a physical therapist.
Your physical therapist will confirm whether you have sciatica using a thorough physical examination. In order to pinpoint the source of your sciatica, a CT scan or an MRI may be used.
Studies have shown that working with a physical therapist often produces better and faster pain-relieving results than relying on pain medications or surgical treatments.
Once your sciatica has been diagnosed, your physical therapist will work with you to treat and relieve your pain. Your therapist may focus on the following areas to promote pain relief:
Improving your range of motion
Increasing your strength and endurance
Enhancing your flexibility through stretching exercises
Educating you on the proper way to stand, bend, pick up items, and twist
Examining your posture
A physical therapist has access to many forms of advanced treatment modalities to heal your pain and ensure your sciatica stays away.
What Kind of Treatment Can I Expect in Physical Therapy?
To relieve your sciatica pain and symptoms, a physical therapist may employ a variety of treatments. Active treatments include motions, stretches, and specific exercises aimed at reducing pain and accelerating healing.
Your physical therapist will walk you through different motions in our clinic that you can also do at home to manage your pain when you need it most. If your therapist determines that weak muscles are contributing to your pain, you will likely be given corrective exercises for core strengthening.
You may also be prescribed strengthening exercises that target your hip muscles, abdominal muscles, and glutes. All of the exercises you participate in will help strengthen the spinal column (including your tendons, ligaments, and supporting muscles) while also keeping the spine in proper alignment.
Stretching exercises in physical therapy are used to treat muscles that are stiff and inflexible. Stretching the hamstrings is an important aspect of a physical therapy treatment plan for sciatica relief. Your physical therapist may also recommend an aquatic exercise program for low-impact movements that are easier to perform in the water.
Passive treatments include massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, electric therapy, and ultrasound. These therapeutic techniques aid in reducing pain, stimulating blood flow, and speeding up recovery.
Massage treatment is commonly used to treat sciatica, as it relieves pain by loosening up back muscles that may be pressing on the sciatic nerve. Ice and heat therapies help ease pain, relax muscles, and reduce inflammation.
Find Relief Today at Stride Physical Therapy!
You can treat your sciatica today with physical therapy. PT is a non-invasive and multifaceted way to treat sciatica that tackles the root cause of your pain. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan just for you, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
At Stride Physical Therapy, our goal is to help you live a pain-free life without the use of harmful drugs or surgery.
If you’re suffering from sciatica, contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our talented physical therapists. We’ll help you get back to living the pain-free life you deserve.
