Is your sciatica pain holding you back from your daily routine? At Oklahoma Hand & PT, we understand how pesky sciatica symptoms can be. Fortunately, treatment with a licensed physical therapist can help.
If you’re looking for a way to return to the active lifestyle you love, contact Oklahoma Hand & PT in Tulsa, OK today to learn about our powerful personalized treatment plans.
How can I tell if I have sciatica?
The term, “sciatica,” describes a set of painful symptoms caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve. A herniated or bulging spinal disk is typically what causes the sciatic nerve to become compressed or pinched.
Some of the most common symptoms of sciatica include leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs. Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe and can be treated with the help of a physical therapist.
Your physical therapist will confirm whether you have sciatica using a thorough physical examination. In order to pinpoint the source of your sciatica, a CT scan or an MRI may be used.
Multiple studies have concluded that working with a physical therapist often produces better and faster pain-relieving results than relying on pain medications or surgical treatments.
Once your sciatica has been diagnosed, your physical therapist will work with you to treat and relieve your pain. Your therapist may focus on the following areas to promote pain-relief:
- Improving your range of motion.
- Increasing your strength and endurance.
- Improving your flexibility using stretching exercises.
- Educating you on the proper way to stand, bend, pick up items, and twist.
- Examining your posture
A physical therapist has access to many forms of advanced treatment modalities to heal your pain and ensure your sciatica stays away.
What kind of treatment can I expect in physical therapy?
To relieve your sciatica pain and symptoms, a physical therapist may employ a variety of treatments. Active treatments include motions, stretches, and specific exercises, aimed at reducing pain and accelerating healing.
Your physical therapist will walk you through different motions in our clinic that you can also do at home to manage your pain when you need it most. If your therapist determines that weak muscles are contributing to your pain, you will likely be given corrective exercises for core strengthening.
You may also be prescribed strengthening exercises that target your hip muscles, abdominal muscles, and glutes. All of the exercises you participate in will help strengthen the spinal column (including your tendons, ligaments, and supporting muscles) while also keeping the spine in proper alignment.
Stretching exercises in physical therapy are used to treat muscles that are stiff and inflexible. Stretching the hamstrings is an important aspect of a physical therapy treatment plan for sciatica relief. Your physical therapist may also recommend an aquatic exercise program for low-impact movements that are easier to perform in the water.
Massage therapy, ice and heat therapies, electric therapy, and ultrasound are examples of passive treatments. All of these therapeutic techniques aid in the reduction of pain, the stimulation of blood flow, and help speed up recovery.
Massage treatment is commonly used to treat sciatica, since it relieves pain by loosening up back muscles that may be pushing on the sciatic nerve. Ice and heat therapies are also commonly used in PT treatment plans, as they help ease pain, relax muscles, and reduce inflammation.
Find relief today at Oklahoma Hand & PT!
You can treat your sciatica today with physical therapy. PT is a non-invasive and multifaceted way to treat sciatica that tackles the root cause of your pain. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan just for you, based on the nature and severity of your condition.
At Oklahoma Hand & PT, our goal is to help you live a pain-free life without the use of harmful drugs or surgery.
If you’re suffering from sciatica, contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with one of our talented physical therapists. We’ll help you get back to living the pain-free life you deserve.