Sciatica Pain
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back, or a herniated disk. Read this article to learn more about the symptoms, or keep reading to find out how to resolve your pain. When one of the disks in your low back gets injured or worn down its soft center can get pushed outside of its outer ring. When the disk bulges like this, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling down the nerve.
Your sciatic nerve is the next stop down your leg from the lumbar plexus, which is a web of nerves from the nerve roots of your lumbar spine. The sciatic nerve then travels down the back of your leg until branching off in different directions down your lower leg. Your sciatic nerve is like a large highway. This nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information and regulating motor control to many areas of your leg. If a nerve root at your spine (Lumbar Radiculopathy) or part of the nerve running down your leg (Piriformis Syndrome) is pinched, it can cause pain anywhere and everywhere along the path of the nerve.
Common Causes of Sciatica
- Herniated Disc
- Arthritis
- Slipped Disc
- Bulging Disc
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
- Spinal Stenosis (Narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Bone Spurs
- Age-Related Spinal Changes
- Obesity
Treatment for Sciatica
One of the first treatments people think of when they have low back pain is surgery, and more specifically spinal fusion. You have probably heard a mixed bag of stories from people you know ranging from, “My surgery was a total success” to “I wish I would have never had surgery”. It is difficult to predict who will do well with surgery for low back pain since most of the causes for low back pain can be present in someone with no pain. So if not surgery, then what? A physical therapist can give you exercises to decrease the nerve pain while stabilizing the spine, which can eliminate the need for surgery and/or improve your surgical outcomes. Learn more about how physical therapy can help by visiting this website.
At Live Life Physiotherapy, you will work with a holistic practitioner who will listen to your specific story and needs. They will spend the time with you to understand your pain and treat it accordingly. You will undergo a hands on assessment that will direct your treatment plan.
Your Treatment Likely Will Include:
- Soft Tissue Mobilizations
- Joint Mobilizations
- Muscle Energy Techniques
- Spinal Manipulation Techniques
- Cupping
- Percussive Instrument Assisted Mobilizations (Theragun)
- Prescriptive Exercise
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Mindfulness/Relaxation
- Pacing Strategies
Where Can I Receive Treatment?
Mobile Services
Our mobile services provide top level care to the comfort of your own home or office. We know everyone is busy, making it hard to carve out time to get to a clinic, so we come to you!
Gym Based
For those that are ready and need to progress towards lifting heavier weight, we have a gym in East County where we can appropriately progress the load complexities your spine needs. Ready to graduate from physical therapy?! We offer coaching programs and work directly with certified personal trainers at Wellness Studio of Santee!
The Live Life Physiotherapy Difference
Unlike traditional physical therapy, at Live Life Physiotherapy, you will see the same provider at every visit – providing you one on one care. This continuity of care is essential to your progress and provides you consistent access to a trusted professional who truly learns and knows about your specific challenges, hopes, goals, and dreams. Reach out today to find the same relief our patients have.