Before diving into how sciatica is treated, let’s discuss what it is. Sciatic nerve pain does not only affect the back; it begins in the lower back and radiates down through the buttocks, both legs, and ends below the knee. It is referred to as sciatica because it originates from irritation to the sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in your body. When the sciatic nerve is compressed in the lower spine, the pain can be felt throughout. Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying problem around the sciatic nerve. If you are suffering from this condition, physical therapy can help.

Symptoms of sciatica

• Shooting pain along the sciatic nerve (lower back all the way to below the knee)
• Numbness in the leg
• Pins-and-needles sensation in the feet and toes
• Aggravated pain after long periods of sitting

How is sciatica treated? 

Initial and immediate sciatica may be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, light stretching, and hot or cold compression packs. When the pain is consistent, prolonged, or unmanageable with home treatments, physical therapy can help. There is no reason to continue to suffer from sciatica when our specialists are ready and eager to help. 

Our goal at Continuum Wellness is to help you reduce pain, increase function and provide a maintenance program to help keep the sciatic nerve pain from returning. A session with our physical therapists can help improve function, improve range of motion and decrease pain while reducing or eliminating your need for medications. 

Call Continuum Wellness for sciatic nerve pain treatment

If you are suffering from back pain or sciatica, or would like more information, contact us today to schedule a free screening and let our physical therapists create a treatment plan that is right for you. There is only one way to begin, and that is with you making your health and well-being a priority.