Can Physical Therapy Eliminate My Sciatic Pain?

Sciatic pain, also known as sciatica, can cause dull aches or sharp pains that radiate from your back down to your foot. Sciatica often causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg or foot.

An estimated 5-10% of adults deal with sciatic pain at some point, making it a common challenge. If you’re among them and rest, ice or heat therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications aren’t enough, you may want to consider physical therapy (PT).

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill provide a range of effective treatments for painful back conditions, including sciatica.

Here’s a closer look at sciatic pain, including ways PT may help.

The basics of sciatic pain

Your sciatic nerve runs from your low back down your legs. Sciatic pain happens when the nerve is compressed or irritated.

Common causes of sciatica nerve pain include:

Disc herniation
Injury from an athletic mishap or car accident
Spinal stenosis
Piriformis syndrome

Less commonly, tumors near your spine are the culprit. And once you have sciatic pain issues, sitting for prolonged periods can make them worse.

Sciatic pain can be acute, coming on suddenly and lasting for 1-2 weeks, or chronic, with flare-ups recurring throughout your life. Many people experience some lingering numbness after the pain has subsided.

How physical therapy helps sciatica

Physical therapy is often one of the first treatments we recommend for sciatic pain. Through specific exercises and manipulations, PT may:

Relieve or reduce your symptoms
Promote healing of the underlying cause
Lower your risk for or delay future flare-ups

In addition to your PT sessions, your provider will guide you through specific exercises to do on your own at home. In other words, PT is helpful beyond your in-office sessions.

Physical therapy effectiveness for sciatic pain

Your physical therapy results will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your pain, your overall health, and how diligently you stick to your treatment plan.

While research findings are somewhat mixed and limited, one study showed that people who received PT exercises and manual sessions had greater sciatica improvements within six months. They also tended to report less back pain after one year.

Effective physical therapy may allow you to rely on other treatments, such as drug therapy, less. To ensure your safety and well-being, however, consult your provider before making any medication changes.

To learn more about physical therapy for sciatica or get personalized back pain support, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today. We would love to help you find lasting relief.