Physiotherapy to Treat Sciatica
Sciatica is the term for pain that travels down the sciatic nerve. It can cause a sharp pain and numbness that starts in the low back of buttocks and radiates down the back of the thigh into the lower leg or foot. Twisting, bending and even coughing can worsen the pain. It often only affects one side of the body, and the pain in the leg can feel worse than the pain in the back. Sciatica is specific to pain that is a direct result of something happening to the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica is fairly common and can be caused by herniated discs pressing on the sciatic nerve, degenerative disc disease, a narrowing of the spinal canal, or a fracture that can cause one vertebral body to slip over top of another. Sciatica commonly occurs in sedentary workers, manual workers and even pregnant people. Often it occurs in people who work in profession that can require physically awkward positions.
Treatment
A physiotherapist can help with sciatica. At FLXME, our physiotherapist will conduct an initial assessment to hear from you about what you are feeling and look at and feel your body to see how it is reacting. From there, a treatment plan will be created to help reduce pain, strengthen muscles and restore movement. To achieve these goals, Nicole will incorporate back movement and spine stabilization and strengthening exercises, stretches to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, hands on work, and discussions about aggravating factors and how to avoid them.
Sources:
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/physical-therapy-and-exercise-sciatica
https://www.lifemark.ca/blog-post/sciatica-how-can-physiotherapy-help