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What are the Different Types of Physical Therapy for Sciatica?

Elle Blake
Elle Blake

Sciatica is the name given to a group of symptoms characterized by pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs. The pain may be accompanied by muscle weakness, numbness or a prolonged feeling of "pins and needles," and it is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerves in the lower back. This can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common being a slipped disc, and it usually is treated with a mixture of pain medication and specialized physical therapy for sciatica. The three main types of physical therapy for sciatica are physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic medicine.

Physiotherapy is usually prescribed as the main physical therapy for sciatica, alongside pain and anti-inflammatory medications. The physiotherapy usually begins after two weeks of bed rest, which has been proved to help with most cases of sciatica. For this reason, it is important for physiotherapy to start slowly. The first few sessions might consist of light bending and stretching exercises as well as discussing relevant lifestyle changes. Core strength and stability exercises will then be introduced, and an exercise ball might be used to help with this.

Physical therapy for sciatica.
Physical therapy for sciatica.

Osteopathy is another physical therapy for sciatica, and it might occur in conjunction with physiotherapy. The osteopath will attempt to find out the cause of the nerve damage and might use massage or palpitations to relieve pain and pressure. Osteopaths also will concentrate on creating a healthy posture and preventing a recurrence of sciatica or further back problems that might be caused by a poor posture or lifestyle.

Chiropractors may manipulate the spine to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve in physical therapy.
Chiropractors may manipulate the spine to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve in physical therapy.

The last common physical therapy for sciatica is chiropractic medicine. This usually involves several elements, including hot and cold therapy, the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine and spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation is a form of physical therapy that involves manipulating the ligaments and discs into a natural position in order to relieve pressure on and damage to the nerves. The adjustment usually is not painful, because the ligaments are simply moved into their correct position in the spinal column.

Physical treatment for sciatica may involve referral to an occupational therapist.
Physical treatment for sciatica may involve referral to an occupational therapist.

Chiropractors might use slightly different interpretations of the same therapy, so it is important for patients to communicate with their physical therapists to ensure that they know if the patient is in any pain. Some cases of sciatica require gentle, sweeping motions, and others might require more forceful movements. Neither method should cause discomfort.

If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can cause pain and numbness down the leg.
If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can cause pain and numbness down the leg.

Physical treatments for sciatica usually are prescribed with medication, including an effective pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory. Severe cases might also require an epidural injection. Referral to an occupational therapist might be appropriate as well.

Discussion Comments

andee

I think lower back pain can be hard to treat, and it seems like I have very few days when I am completely pain free. I have pretty much learned to live with it.

My sciatica back pain was so bad when I finally went to a doctor that he told me I had to take one week of and do absolutely nothing. This was very hard for me to do, but that was the beginning of my treatment.

Now I control the pain through treatment, exercises and medication. I think all three of those things play an important part in my treatment, and don't want to see what might happen if I skipped any of them.

myharley

I have to use more than one form of sciatic nerve treatment to get much relief. I go to physiotherapy, and also have to use pain relievers to control the pain.

If I don't, the pain can be hard to live with, and I am miserable. I already feel like I really baby my back, but I never know what might set something off.

Mykol

I was having a lot of pain shooting down my legs and thought something was wrong with my legs. I found out all of this was caused by sciatic nerve pain in my back.

I see an osteopathic doctor for treatment who does spinal manipulation. This sounds like it might be painful, but it really isn't, and has made a big difference in how I feel.

As long as I go for regular treatments, I can avoid taking pain relievers, which is wonderful.

bagley79

I dealt with some chronic lower back pain for a long time, but when the "pins and needles" feeling didn't go away, I knew it was time to seek out some help.

When my doctor told me this was sciatic back pain, I really had no idea what he was talking about. I just wanted my back pain to go away. Little did I know that some of the exercises I would have to do would be so painful.

I stuck with it, and have disciplined myself to continue on with these exercises as a form of prevention. On the days that I feel like skipping my exercises, I remind myself of what it felt like to have constant pain, and go ahead and do my exercises.

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    • Physical therapy for sciatica.
      Physical therapy for sciatica.
    • Chiropractors may manipulate the spine to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve in physical therapy.
      By: Anatomical Design
      Chiropractors may manipulate the spine to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve in physical therapy.
    • Physical treatment for sciatica may involve referral to an occupational therapist.
      By: iceteastock
      Physical treatment for sciatica may involve referral to an occupational therapist.
    • If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can cause pain and numbness down the leg.
      By: rob3000
      If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can cause pain and numbness down the leg.
    • The treatment regimen for a patient with sciatica may include an anti-inflammatory pain reliever in addition to physical therapy.
      By: Ambrophoto
      The treatment regimen for a patient with sciatica may include an anti-inflammatory pain reliever in addition to physical therapy.
    • A caudal epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such from severe sciatica.
      By: chanawit
      A caudal epidural can numb parts of the body from pain, such from severe sciatica.
    • Some types of massage may be useful in sciatica treatment.
      By: Micky75
      Some types of massage may be useful in sciatica treatment.
    • Part of physical therapy for sciatica may focus on correcting posture to avoid further back problems.
      By: aceshot
      Part of physical therapy for sciatica may focus on correcting posture to avoid further back problems.