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Sciatica Specialist

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Our Services Sciatica

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy located throughout New York State

Physical Therapists & Occupational Therapists located in Farmingdale, NY & Great Neck, NY

If you have back pain that radiates down one leg, you may have sciatica. Physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for sciatica that may help reduce your pain and prevent a recurrence. At Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy throughout New York state, the physical therapy team specializes in the management of back pain and can develop a program to reduce your sciatica and improve overall function. To schedule a consultation, contact the office by phone or online today.

Sciatica Q & A

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition in which you experience pain that travels along your sciatic nerve. It is a common cause of lower back pain.

Your sciatic nerve is one of the thickest nerves in your body and runs from your lumbar spine down through your buttocks and into your leg on each side of your body. The nerve provides sensation to your legs and feet and assists with muscle movement.

You may develop sciatica if the nerve is damaged or irritated. It’s very a common condition and usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 50.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

The most characteristic symptom of sciatica is pain, sometimes sharp, that runs from the lower back to the side or back of the legs. You may also experience tingling and numbness in the leg. In extreme cases, you may also lose control over your bowel or bladder.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is most often caused by a herniated disc in the lower back. The herniation puts pressure on the surrounding nerves, including the sciatic nerve, causing pain. A bone spur can also cause the nerve irritation that leads to sciatica.

You may be at risk of sciatica if you’re overweight, you have diabetes, or you have a job that requires constant twisting of your spine.

How can physical therapy help my sciatica?

When you come in for care at Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy for sciatica, your physical therapist develops a personalized plan aimed at improving your overall function. Your plan may include a combination of active exercises and passive modalities.

Your active exercise program may include strengthening, stretching, and aerobic conditioning. Your physical therapist may focus treatment on strengthening your core muscles for better back support.

To get the best results, you need to do these strengthening exercises correctly and consistently. Your passive modality program may include:

  • Heat and cold therapy to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Ultrasound for deep heating of your muscles to enhance healing
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) units to override pain signals

If you have success with the TENS unit, it may be recommended for long-term pain management.

Physical therapy is a safe and effective treatment for sciatica. To get relief from your pain, contact Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy by phone or online today.

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