How to Get Rid of Sciatica Pain with Physiotherapy
Sciatica refers to pain of the lower extremities; that is from the lower back (L4, L5 or S1) through the buttocks all the way to the legs, areas covered by the sciatic nerve; the largest nerve. Sciatic pain can cause a lot of discomforts and severely affect the quality of life thus necessitating the need for therapeutic interventions. Proper diagnosis and identification of the etiology are essential in the management plan. The classical symptoms of sciatica include; tingling, numbness, mobility difficulty, weakness, and pain that worsen when sitting.
The use of physiotherapy in the management of sciatica has reported considerable success rate, even in cases not responsive to bed rest and pharmacological interventions.
Physiotherapy treatment of sciatic pain objectives include:
- Eliminating or reducing pain which is the primary symptom that prompt health-seeking behavior.
- Restore muscle movement, flexibility, and posture of the lower extremities.
- Strengthening weak muscles and regaining full functionality.
- Reduce pressure and tension around the sciatic nerve.
- Preventing recurrence of sciatica by initiating a managed exercise plan.
So, how do you get rid of the sciatic pain? Well, reversing the pathological process which mainly involves the accumulation of fluid around the sciatic nerve resulting in pressure has been established to effectively modify the progression of the pain and give a desirable prognosis. The importance of accurate diagnosis can never get overemphasized as this will dictate the course of treatment; bacterial infections will require antimicrobial therapy while physiotherapy adequately manages traumas and dislocations.
Effective physiotherapy techniques to get rid of the sciatic pain include:
-
Chiropractic/ manual manipulation
Chiropractic is done to ensure spinal alignment and relieve spinal pressure. It involves spinal adjustment and manual manipulation of spine done by a professional chiropractor. Chiropractic care is critical to reducing pain and restoring nerve functions. HealthMax Physiotherapy Clinic in Toronto is one of the examples where you can find a highly experienced and certified team of Chiropractors who offer comprehensive care.
-
Massage therapy
Massage therapy is beneficial in back pain as it enhances blood circulation and allows muscle relaxation. Further, massage therapy stimulates the release of endorphins which are useful endogenous painkillers. The soft body tissues around the lower limb are assessed and manipulated to reverse the physical dysfunction. Besides, massage therapy also reduces tension around the sciatic nerve.
-
Acupuncture
Usually, the process involves extraction of accumulated cerebrospinal fluid around the sciatic nerve that may be causing pressure using thin and sterilized needle. Acupuncture will help remove distress and depression and then allow the self-healing process of the body; this has been found useful in sciatica treatment.
-
Behavioral therapy
Finally, sessions with a physiotherapist can help you identify specific behaviors and activities that may be causing harm to the sciatic nerve. Proper advice and plan to avoid such engagements may be useful in the short-term treatment of sciatica. The physiotherapist should thus take a thorough history of the patient as such activities can only be derived from detailed scrutiny of the patient’s past.