Physical Therapy For SciaticaRaleigh-Durham, Fayetteville & Surrounding North Carolina Cities
Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, can be a highly irritating and problematic condition that can severely limit a person’s ability to sit, walk, or run comfortably. The sciatic nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to the legs and can be affected in several places along the path of the nerve. Physical therapy is a great treatment option to reduce or eliminate sciatic nerve pain. Symptoms that are normally attributed to sciatica include pain, burning, numbness, or tingling that extends from the low back or buttock down the leg, often all the way to the foot. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it might be time to seek out physical therapy!
Common Causes of Sciatica
There are several possible causes for sciatica, but regardless of the cause, a physical therapist is able to help. Sometimes, the muscles of the hip become tight or deconditioned resulting in compression and irritation of the nerve. Most commonly, the piriformis muscle is to blame for this kind of compression. In other situations, symptoms similar to sciatic nerve compression can be caused by lumbar disc degeneration or facet joint stenosis. Sacroiliac joint problems can also present with similar symptoms. It is important to visit a physical therapist who will help determine the specific cause of your problems and will design a treatment plan to address those issues.
How to Reduce Symptoms of Sciatica
If your physical therapist concludes that the cause of your pain is a tight muscle compressing the nerve, they will most likely prescribe stretches, nerve glides, and manual therapy to help reduce the tension. Stretching out tight hip muscles is important to stop the compression of the nerve and reduce the uncomfortable sensations that come with sciatica nerve pain. Nerve glides are also a good option to improve the mobility of the nerve, which allows it to glide easily through muscle and fascia as you walk and run. Soft tissue massage can also help reduce pain by stimulating tissue healing and reducing inflammation.
Find North Carolina Sciatica Specialists
If the symptoms listed above sound familiar and you are tired of struggling with your sciatic nerve pain, visit a BreakThrough location to get started with a physical therapist! BreakThrough serves Raleigh-Durham, Fayetteville, and the surrounding North Carolina Cities, and our therapists can’t wait to help! With a wide variety of specialties and a commitment to high quality service, we can promise you will not be disappointed.
