Can Physical Therapy Treat Sciatica?

If you’re struggling with sciatica, you know how painful and unrelenting it can be. The shooting pain, numbness, and tingling radiating from your lower back down your leg can make even simple tasks impossible.

Bradley A. Silva, MD, and the Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center are experts who help people in Kenosha, Wisconsin, manage sciatica. Our team offers several treatment options for sciatica, including medication, physical therapy, injections, and chiropractic care.

Below, we zero in on one treatment in particular: physical therapy. Learn more about sciatica and how physical therapy can help manage your symptoms.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica isn’t a standalone condition. It’s the symptom of a big issue, and occurs when the sciatic nerve — your body's longest nerve — gets compressed or irritated, which can happen due to:

Herniated discs pressing on the nerve
Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal
Muscle tightness, especially in the piriformis muscle
Injuries or misalignment affecting the lower back

The first step to finding lasting relief is to learn the root cause of your sciatica symptoms. Your physical therapy plan takes this information into account.

How physical therapy helps sciatica

Physical therapy is one of the most effective ways to manage and even eliminate sciatica pain without surgery or medication. A customized treatment plan may include:

Stretching

Tight muscles, especially in your lower back, glutes, and hamstrings, worsen sciatic pain. Gentle stretching helps loosen these muscles and improve mobility, which reduces pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Stretching may be helpful if piriformis syndrome is contributing to your sciatica.

Strengthening

Weak core and back muscles can contribute to poor posture and spinal instability, which increases nerve compression. Strengthening your core and lower back can help support your spine and prevent future flare-ups.

Posture and movement training

Poor posture and improper movement can make sciatica worse. Our physical therapist can teach you better body mechanics to reduce strain on your lower back and prevent nerve irritation.

Manual therapy and massage therapy

Hands-on techniques, like massage, joint mobilization, and myofascial release, can help relax tight muscles and improve blood flow to the affected area. Myofascial release, for example, can help reduce piriformis muscle spasms and buttocks pain.

Nerve gliding

Specific exercises called nerve glides or flossing can help release tension and improve the mobility of the sciatic nerve. Nerve glides can be performed easily at home without any special equipment.

For example, to perform a seated sciatic nerve glide, you can sit upright in a chair and extend one leg straight while flexing your foot toward you. With your leg still extended, slowly lower your chin to your chest. Repeat this movement 10–15 times to help improve nerve mobility and reduce sciatic pain.

When to consider physical therapy for sciatica

If you’ve been dealing with persistent sciatica pain for more than a few weeks, or if it’s affecting your ability to work, sleep, or move comfortably, it’s time to call Dr. Silva and the Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center team in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Physical therapy can relieve pain, restore mobility, and prevent future flare-ups, and it complements other sciatica treatments like medication and lifestyle changes.

To learn more about physical therapy for sciatica, call 262-484-4035 or click here to schedule an appointment today.