NEWSLETTER Health &Wellness
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MY SCIATICA PAINS?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat sciatica pains. If you are living with sciatica, you know how uncomfortable it can get. Many people with sciatica describe their symptoms as “shooting pains,” typically down one side of the body. While sciatica does not always require physical therapy treatments, they can help relieve your pain and speed up the healing process. Because of this, it is in your best interest to consult with a physical therapist before symptoms become too severe. If you are living with sciatica, or you think you may be experiencing sciatica symptoms, contact Willow physical therapy today to discover how we can help. How can physical therapy help me?
In a study published by Spine, a respected medical journal, physical therapy treatments for sciatica pain were seen to be a highly effective option. When a patient begins their physical therapy sessions early enough, they are able to manage their pain quickly and straightforwardly. Additionally, physical therapy is much more budget-friendly for the average person, especially when symptoms are addressed early. This study found that over a one-year period, people who had taken 10 sessions of physical therapy had better results for their sciatic pain than those who were only given guidelines for treatment. The authors attributed the cost- effectiveness of the physical therapy approach in part to using it as the first line of defense against sciatic pain and back pain. When physical therapy treatments are performed at
the start, the need for expensive diagnostic tests or invasive surgeries typically become obsolete.
When should I see a physical therapist?
A good rule of thumb is to come in for a free consultation as soon as you begin to notice sciatic pains – from there, your physical therapist can let you know what the best course of action will be. Sciatica symptoms may include shooting pains down one leg, buttock, or persistent aches and/or numbness in the lower back. Additionally, any dull or piercing aches along the sciatic nerve may be an indication of sciatica. If pain goes from dull to severe, that is a strong indication that physical therapy intervention is needed. The severity of pain you feel can change depending on how compressed your sciatic
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