Sciatica affects 10-40% of the population. It's painful and debilitating but simpler to treat than you may think. Like many other conditions, it begins in the spine and moves down. 46% of the 100-200 patients that physiotherapists see per week are suffering from some form of spine pain. Physiotherapy is one of the best ways to treat sciatica pain because it's simple yet effective. Read on to learn how it can provide relief and improve your mobility.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica gets its name from the area of the body it originates from. It's the result of any type of irritation to the sciatic nerve or its roots in the lower back. Heavy manual labor is a common cause of the condition. It's also common after anything that puts heavy pressure on the spine such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis. Sciatica pain tends to show up first in the lower back then move to the buttocks and down to the legs. Other common symptoms include:
Altered sensations
Tingling
Muscle weakness
Altered bladder or bowel control
Surgery is only necessary in severe cases where other spine problems are present. Visiting a physiotherapy clinic for sciatica treatment is an easier but equally effective option.
Physiotherapy for Sciatica
Physiotherapy is meant to be a non-intimidating treatment option, but it can feel a bit overwhelming if you've never tried it before. It helps if you know what to expect before you begin. Your first appointment will involve testing important factors such as muscle strength, nerve mobility, and lumbar range. This helps determine where your pain's coming from and whether another condition is responsible. You'll also have to answer plenty of questions. Your physiotherapist will want to know what other treatments you've tried, when your pain began, and what your treatment goals are. This vital information will help your physiotherapist develop a full, detailed treatment plan before you leave. It will likely involve returning to the clinic for several treatment sessions. There's a wide range of physiotherapy exercises for sciatica you can do in the clinic and others you can do at home. The best types for you and the length of time you'll need to do them depends on your body and level of pain. The goal of any sciatica treatment plan is to use physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles attached to your sciatic nerve. This should reduce your pain and improve your mobility.
Where to Get Physiotherapy for Sciatica Treatment
Physiotherapy is a common solution for pain, especially when it originates in the spine. One of the most common forms is sciatica, a condition that sends pain from the sciatic nerve down the lower back and down to the feet. A detailed treatment plan that includes physiotherapy exercises to do in the clinic and at home is one of the best treatments. It strengthens the affected muscles and reduces pain. Finding an experienced physiotherapy clinic that knows how to treat sciatica is the first step. Contact us at White Rock Orthopaedic & Sports Physiotherapy Clinic to get relief today.