Sciatica Relief
Find Freedom from Nerve Pain
At least 40% of adults have one bout of sciatica in their lifetime. For many, the problem persists, and they end up with chronic and debilitating back and leg pain that affects daily activities and quality of life.
The skilled team at startPTNow has extensive experience developing physical therapy plans that ease your pain, strengthen your back, and give you the ability to enjoy your favorite activities again. If you need exceptional care for sciatica, schedule a same-day or next-day appointment at our Maryland locations.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica refers to a specific group of symptoms that occur when you have a pinched sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve leaves your lower spine, splits, and goes down each side of your body. It passes through your buttocks, travels along the back of your legs, and goes down to your feet.
With sciatic nerve compression, you experience lower back pain together with sciatica's hallmark symptom: pain shooting down one leg. This condition can range from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain that affects your daily activities.
At startPTNow, we specialize in identifying the root cause of your sciatic pain and developing targeted treatment plans for lasting relief.
What causes sciatica?
Some people develop sciatica after straining a lower back muscle or suffering a lower back injury. But the painful problem is most often caused by degenerative changes in the spine that pinch the nerve, including:
Though not common, muscles in your buttocks can compress the sciatic nerve. When that happens, you have similar symptoms, but the condition is called piriformis syndrome rather than sciatica.
Understanding the specific cause of your sciatic pain is essential for developing an effective treatment plan that addresses the root problem rather than just masking symptoms.
What other symptoms accompany sciatica?
Most people describe the sudden leg pain as a severe and disabling jolt of pain. You may also experience other sensations in the affected leg, such as burning or tingling. In extreme cases, your leg may turn numb, and your muscles could weaken.
For some patients, the pain improves in a few weeks. Others develop chronic (long-lasting) pain that gets worse over time, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life.
Early intervention with physical therapy can prevent temporary sciatica from becoming a chronic condition and help you regain pain-free movement.
How is sciatica treated?
After self-care and pain-relieving medications, physical therapy is the first line of treatment for sciatica. Your therapist designs an individualized plan that includes the treatments you receive in the office, as well as exercises you can do at home to strengthen your core muscles, ease the pain, and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Prolonged rest and sitting are nearly guaranteed to make your sciatica worse. That's why your physical therapist gives you an appropriate exercise program that helps you stay active without putting too much stress on your lower back.
During physical therapy sessions at startPTNow, you may receive a comprehensive approach that includes:
Pain Management & Modalities
- Electrical stimulation therapy
- Ultrasound for deep tissue healing
- Moist heat and ice applications
- Therapeutic massage techniques
- Pain management strategies
Manual Therapy Techniques
- Joint mobilization and traction
- Manual stretching and myofascial release
- Spinal decompression techniques
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Nerve gliding exercises
Rehabilitation & Education
- Strength and flexibility training
- Core strengthening exercises
- Posture training and correction
- Proper bending and lifting techniques
- Home exercise programs
Most importantly, we empower you with the knowledge and tools to manage your sciatica long-term, teaching you proper body mechanics and exercises that reduce stress on your lower back and prevent future flare-ups.
If you struggle with lower back and shooting leg pain, get relief
by calling StartPTNow or scheduling an appointment online today.
