Sciatica Relief

Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that is extremely common — and very painful. Whether your back pain is due to an injury or strain or a more specific nerve problem like sciatica, working with a physical therapist can restore you to health, and in many cases, can help you avoid the need for back surgery. If you have been diagnosed with a back injury or sciatica, contact Elevate Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine in Johnston & Ankeny as soon as possible so our physical therapist can help create an individualized physical therapy regimen to help you recover.

What is Sciatica

Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that is intensely painful and easy to diagnose. The pain from sciatica runs along the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in the body. This nerve extends from your lower back, splits near the base of your spine, and runs down to the bottom of each foot. When the sciatic nerve is “pinched,” it can send a constant, shooting, burning pain from your buttocks to the bottom of your foot.

Causes of Sciatica

A herniated disc in the back is more serious and can lead to tremendous pain, including sciatica. Degenerative disc disease can be caused by obesity or poor posture, and it can lead to dull, aching pain in the lower back.

The longer technical name for sciatica is “lumbar radiculopathy.” It usually impacts people between 30 and 50 years of age. Sciatica can be caused by several different types of injuries, including bone spurs, arthritis, or an injury that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. A fall or a collision during sports, such as soccer or football, can lead to a case of sciatica. The condition can also generate slowly over time, as with the development of arthritis.

How physical therapy helps sciatica

Your course of treatment with a physical therapist will largely depend on your diagnosis. In the early stages of sciatica, your physical therapist will make specific recommendations to help relieve pain. This can include applying ice packs to affected areas, and working on things like your posture to prevent the injury from worsening.

As your condition improves, your physical therapist will work with you on specific treatments. For example, water exercises are a common “prescription” for many back injuries and sciatica, because they will allow you to stay physically active. In the early phases of rehabilitation, more rigorous activities may not be possible. Your therapist will prescribe specific leg exercises to relieve the pain from sciatica, so it’s important to do these. Physical therapy for sciatica aims to increase range of motion, ease discomfort, and build up the body so you may eventually resume your regular daily activities.

If you have been diagnosed with sciatica, contact Elevate Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine in Johnston & Ankey to request an appointment with a physical therapist. The pain may be intense now, but our physical therapist will help get you on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

For more information, Contact us at Johnston & Ankeny, IA centers.