Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that travels through the sciatic nerve, usually beginning in the lower back and moving on to the hips, buttocks, and eventually each leg. It most frequently happens when something compresses a portion or a number of portions of the sciatic nerve, usually only affecting one side of the body. Medication, stretches, and, most importantly, physical therapy are all effective treatments for sciatica.

A physical therapist will create a rehabilitation plan to lessen or completely remove your discomfort, restore body mechanics to relieve nerve compression, strengthen core muscles, increase muscle and nerve flexibility, and enhance functional activities. Additionally, a home workout routine will be created, which is a crucial step in the recovery process. Here are some  signs that you require neck and back physical therapy.

Pain From Injury

It is possible for moderate sciatica to worsen with time and even disappear on its own, but you shouldn’t always bank on it. Contact your doctor or a physical therapist if you have the characteristic sciatica symptoms after being involved in a car accident, taking a significant fall, or suffering a sports injury. Because the area around the sciatic nerve has likely been affected more severely, your symptoms are probably more likely to be severe. Your medical team can assess the degree of nerve damage and whether surgery, steroid injections, or prescription medications are necessary. You’ll learn specific exercises that will strengthen your lower back. Strong muscles help support the region surrounding your sciatic nerve and guard against further harm. 

Severe Symptoms

The symptoms that follow a major compression of your sciatic nerve can go from unpleasant to extremely painful. They may even become embarrassing in particular situations. Sometimes it’s impossible to move your foot or leg. On one side, you can get numb and feeble. If you have sudden, severe pain, it’s usually time to see a physical therapist to start pain relief. Another warning sign? The region of the sciatic nerve that regulates bowel and/or bladder function is susceptible to compression. This might lead to incontinence problems. It goes without saying that you should seek professional assistance if you become unable to control one or both of these processes. Go to a doctor to rule out any more issues.

Home Remedies No Longer Working

Everyone enjoys a good home remedy, am I right? You have a lot of options for treating a minor sciatica flare-up at home. A traditional method of treating sciatica problems involves alternating between cold and heat. For each application, you can use an ice pack for roughly 15 minutes before switching to a heating pad. It may also be beneficial to sleep with a pillow between your knees. Since “babying” your problem might actually make it worse, going for walks frequently helps reduce sciatica discomfort. Although these techniques might be useful for treating minor sciatica, there are situations when physical therapy is a far more effective course of action. If your at-home remedies are having little to no impact on lessening the discomfort and restricted motion, or if your pain lasts more than a week, you should speak with a physical therapist.