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How to Relieve Your Sciatica Pain
With Physical Therapy
Are you experiencing pain in your leg or numbness in your foot? Are these symptoms making it difficult for you to tolerate typical daily activities? You could be experiencing sciatica. At Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions, we can help you figure out what you are dealing with and resolve it!
Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that is a widespread and often debilitating condition. People with sciatica typically report feeling pain in their lower back, buttocks, and down their leg(s).
It is a condition that develops from compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica usually affects people between the ages of 30-50, and it can develop for several reasons, such as:
- Herniated discs
- Sports-related injury or other traumas
- Work-related overuse or repetitive stress
- Arthritis and/or bone spurs
Fortunately, physical therapy can effectively treat sciatica pain. To learn more about how we can help relieve your sciatica pains so you can get back to living your life comfortably, contact Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions today!
Symptoms of Sciatica
The sciatic nerve consists of the nerves from the fourth lumbar through the second sacral nerve roots. These nerves come together to form the sciatic nerve. It is the largest nerve in the body.
Sciatica is a debilitating condition that starts in the lower back region and results from irritation or injury to the sciatic nerve.
A common misunderstanding is that any low back pain or leg pain is sciatica, but sciatica is the specific pain directly resulting from sciatic nerve pathology.
Patients affected by this condition may experience pain and paresthesias (i.e., numbness and/or tingling) along the sciatic nerve distribution.
In most cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated lumbar disc where the nerve root is irritated by disc material that ruptures. This irritation is due to a combination of pressure and inflammation around the nerve.
Sciatica is often a constant pain in the lower back and travels down the buttock, thigh, calf, and into the foot. Sciatica pain often is worsened with flexion of the lumbar spine, twisting, bending, or coughing.
In most cases, a physical therapist can help identify what is causing the condition and resolve it successfully. The combination of education and activity modification can help set the stage for a successful outcome.
Physical therapy treatments for sciatica
Our physical therapists will guide you through all treatment phases, from the initial diagnosis to the therapeutic and preventive stages of recovery. We will start with a comprehensive evaluation and a movement assessment to identify all the factors contributing to your condition.
Using this information, we will develop an individualized program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any other appropriate pain relief techniques!
Passive treatments for sciatica relief may include electrotherapy and targeted manual therapy, including joint mobilization/manipulations and soft tissue work. These different treatments help reduce pain, stimulate blood flow, increase your joint and tissue mobility and accelerate healing.
Active treatments include motions, stretches, and specific exercises to reduce pain, restore movement, and strengthen the spine. Our physical therapists will teach you exercise programs that you can do at home to manage your pain.
Understanding precisely what sciatica is and how to manage it can help you be proactive and find solutions that work!
How can I relieve my sciatica pain?
First and foremost, you should consult with one of our physical therapists as soon as possible. At your appointment, you can expect to undergo a physical exam and evaluation. We will include a health history and specific testing procedures, including evaluation of posture, movement and flexibility, and of muscle and joint motion and performance, to identify the source of your symptoms.
By consulting with a physical therapist as soon as you begin to notice pain, you’ll be able to recover quicker and avoid damage to the spinal joints and nerves. Your interventions will be based on the evaluation and severity of your condition.
In addition, you will receive self-management recommendations that will likely include targeted stretches, postural advice, and strengthening exercises to perform at home.
Contact us today for sciatica pain relief!
You deserve to live a life free of pain and discomfort. Our goal is to help you return to doing things you love doing without the threat of injury! If you are living with the constant aches and pains of sciatica, contact Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions today to get started on the first steps toward sciatica pain relief.
“If you’re on the fence of where to go, GO HERE! You won’t regret it.”
“I can’t recommend Innovative PT Solutions ENOUGH! The team is so friendly and they provide great services for PT. I have Ashlee to thank for helping me recover from postpartum pain and pelvic floor strengthening. If you’re on the fence of where to go, GO HERE! You won’t regret it.” — Hannah-Mae A.
“I HIGHLY recommend the laser therapy with Michael — after just one session, my back pain from degenerative disc disease was significantly improved, and only got better with each session.”
“Everyone at Innovative is wonderful! I have seen Michael, Lydia, and Johnna and they are all professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. You feel like a person, not just a number. I HIGHLY recommend the laser therapy with Michael — after just one session, my back pain from degenerative disc disease was significantly improved, and only got better with each session. And the best part is, the first session is a free consultation. The front desk staff are wonderful, too- friendly and accommodating! If I could give them 10 stars I would.” — Samantha G.
Unconventional Yet Highly Effective Tips
to Help Your Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting adults worldwide. While there are various conventional treatments and strategies for dealing with back pain, prevention remains the best approach. Here are a few uncommon yet highly effective tips for preventing back pain that you can try at home.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing is not just for Yoga enthusiasts. This breathing technique engages your diaphragm, reduces your heart rate, and helps in relaxation. Surprisingly, it also helps in stabilizing your core. A strong core can better support your back, preventing back pain.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place one hand on your chest and another on your abdomen.
- Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing only your abdomen to rise.
- Exhale through your mouth, engaging your core muscles.
- Practice this for 5-10 minutes daily.
Dynamic Sitting
Sitting for prolonged periods is a leading cause of back pain. Dynamic sitting encourages movement even while seated, making your core muscles work in maintaining posture.
How to do it:
- Choose a chair that allows freedom of movement. Swivel chairs are a good choice.
- Shift your weight periodically and tilt your pelvis by moving your belly button forward, and then tilt your pelvis back, allowing your lower back to “slouch” slightly backward.
- Engage your core muscles intermittently while sitting using the same diaphragmatic breathing mentioned above.
Visualization Techniques
Believe it or not, the mind plays a significant role in perceiving pain. Visualization techniques can not only help in relaxing tense muscles but can also mentally train you to handle pain better.
How to do it:
- Close your eyes and imagine a serene environment.
- Visualize the tension in your back being replaced by relaxed, calm muscles.
- Pair this visualization with deep breathing for better results.
By incorporating these unconventional strategies into your daily routine, you can help prevent the onset of back pain. Always consult our Innovative Physical Therapy Solutions providers before starting any new exercise to ensure it’s appropriate for you.
Exercise of the Month
Press Up
Start by lying flat on your stomach with your elbows bent and your hands by your shoulders. Slowly press your hands into the ground to straighten out your elbows and raise your torso up. Make sure to keep your legs flat on the floor. Bend your elbows to come back down.
FOR MORE EXERCISES, CHECK Out Our Videos Page!
Quick & Easy Healthy Recipe
Honey Garlic Shrimp
This saucy shrimp owes a lot of its flavor to a bold marinade of honey, soy sauce, and garlic, which is music to everyone’s taste buds. For a little extra flavor, we add some minced fresh ginger, but that’s entirely optional.
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Optional: 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 lb medium uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 2 tsp olive oil
- Optional: chopped green onion garnish
Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger (if using) together in a medium bowl. Place shrimp in a large zipped-top bag or tupperware. Pour 1/2 of the marinade mixture on top, give it all a shake or stir, then allow shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 min or for up to 8-12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the rest of the marinade for the next step. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. Discard used marinade. Cook shrimp on one side until pink — about 45 seconds — then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1 min more. Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce and a garnish of green onion. The sauce is excellent on brown rice and steamed veggies on the side.
Let’s Get You Better ASAP!
Don’t let pain dictate your life. Take the first step towards reclaiming your mobility and well-being with our expert support. Start your journey to a healthier you today.
Contact us today for your free consultation, or forward this newsletter to a friend in need. They will thank you for it.
