How to Handle Sciatica: A Guide to Physiotherapy

If you have ever had sciatica or sciatic pain in the back, you understand it can be a miserable experience. However, we have great news: sciatica doesn't have to keep you on the sidelines for long. With a detailed treatment plan from a qualified physiotherapist, you can speed recovery and return to enjoying your life faster.

We won't sugarcoat it-- sciatica is never fun. It's likewise not an unusual condition. It involves discomfort that radiates from your spine down one or both of your legs. If you have sciatica and wish to get back to normal as soon as possible, keep reading our guide to handling sciatica with physiotherapy techniques.

Sciatica: What Is It?

Sciatica describes pain that originates in your spinal column and radiates down one of your legs. It's generally brought on by pressure on or irritation of your sciatic nerve.

Frequently, an issue in the lower back-- such as a herniated disc or degenerative disc illness-- can cause the sciatic nerve to end up being inflamed and send discomfort down the back of one leg. You can suffer from sciatica on one or both sides of your body. If you have sciatica, you might experience any of the following signs:

• Discomfort in your back that shoots down your leg

• Discomfort in the back of one or both legs

• Weakness or feeling numb in one or both legs

• Tingling, burning, or cramping in one or both legs

• Feeling like your sciatica is worsening

How Does Sciatica Pain Work?

Your sciatic nerves, which are the largest nerves in your body, are found in your lower back on the right and left sides of your spinal column. Because these nerves provide motor and sensory input to your legs, they are particularly susceptible to irritation and compression near the spinal column. The sciatic nerves originate from various nerve roots and then divide and branch as they travel into the legs. Sciatica occurs when one of these nerves is irritated and compressed near the spinal column, causing inflammation and tissue damage.

What compresses the sciatic nerve in the first place? A ruptured and bulging spinal disc is typically responsible.

Other wide range of common conditions and causes may include degenerative disc disease, irritation of spinal nerves, spinal stenosis, disc herniations, muscle spasm, disc injuries, motor vehicle injuries, joint dysfunction, musculoskeletal complaints, and piriformis muscle irritation, bone spurs, etc. 

What Does Sciatic Nerve Pain Feel Like?

The most common type of pain is a dull pain that extends down your leg. You can also experience acute pains, burning feelings, and stabbing pains. It can also feel like an electric shock or jolt and sometimes becomes excruciating for the patient.

How Do I Know If My Sciatica Is Severe Enough To Visit A Physiotherapist?

You'll need to see a physiotherapist if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Back and leg pain that lasts longer than three weeks

• Numbness or tingling in your leg(s)

• A burning sensation when urinating

• Difficulty walking or facing other mobility challenges

• Decreased range of motion

How Is Sciatica Treated With Physiotherapy?

First and foremost, you should rest. You should, as much as possible, remove anything that's putting strain on your sciatic nerve, giving it time to heal. This may indicate going on short-term disability or taking a temporary leave from work. You can likewise use heat or cold packs to relieve your discomfort.

Your physiotherapist in Calgary NE can recommend the best individualized treatment plan for your sciatica.

One type of hands-on treatment your physical therapist might make use is a form of manual therapy-- using their hands to move and adjust your tissues or joints, therefore alleviating pressure on the nerve.

A 2nd possible treatment is working out. Your physiotherapist may prescribe exercises that strengthen the muscles around your spinal column and hips, minimizing your pain and allowing your condition to improve more quickly.

Exercise Therapy for Sciatica

First, let's have a look at what exercises are really valuable for sciatica. Exercises that build up the muscles around your spinal column are helpful. Your physiotherapist may recommend workouts such as yoga, crunches, and back stretches.

While exercises can help reduce your discomfort in the short term, they are most effective when combined with other treatments, such as heat or cold therapy. Exercising can help get you moving and feeling better much faster, but they're not a long-term solution.

If you have extreme sciatica, exercise might not be your greatest option immediately. Start with gentle stretches. As your symptoms subside, you can gradually build up the intensity of your workouts. Make sure to consult with your physiotherapist about the most suitable workouts to treat your issue.

Other Effective Treatment Options For Sciatica 

Your physiotherapist might also propose other treatments, such as:

TENS Therapy - This electrical device delivers small electrical impulses to the damaged area to stimulate your nerves and decrease pain.

Acupuncture - This more traditional treatment involves putting exceptionally tiny needles in your skin at specific spots to lower discomfort and swelling and boost the healing process.

Wrap Up

Whatever physiotherapy treatment you choose, sciatica can take a toll on your body and your happiness. It can be challenging to stay positive when you're in pain, however research study shows that remaining positive is one of the very best ways to speed up your healing!

When you're suffering from sciatica, you need to discover advanced therapy techniques to manage your pain in the short-term, while also ensuring you're going in the appropriate direction to improve for the long term. Keep the suggestions in this post in mind when taking care of sciatica to ensure you make the most of your treatment and get back to your daily activities as soon as possible.