Back Pain and Sciatica Relief

Suffering from Back Pain or Sciatica? Get Help with Physical Therapy

Do you wake up in the morning with nagging back pain? Are you feeling achy pain into your back, buttocks, or even thigh? Are you having to watch what you do, because you are afraid you may throw out your back?

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, back pain is the most commonly reported pain across the nation, and one out of every four Americans has experienced back pain in the past three months. 

Back pain and sciatica differ but are often confused with each other. Back is specific to the upper, middle or lower back. Sciatica is a more diffuse, radiating pain down the buttock, thigh, and even leg. It is also possible to have radiculopathy, which is a radiating numbness, tingling, burning, or sharp pain to a specific part of the leg. This is often associated with a herniated disc, or entrapment of the nerve of that area, as it exits the spine.

If you’re searching for back pain relief or sciatica relief, don’t rely on medicines to mask the symptoms. Your body is telling you there is a deeper root cause that needs to be fixed. Know that, physical therapy should be your first treatment of choice. It eliminates your need for harmful painkilling drugs, such as opioids, and possibly will help you to avoid an invasive surgical procedure in the future.

How did my back pain or sciatica occur?

Back pain and sciatica pain are closely related medical conditions. Many times, sciatica pain is the result of a medical back problem. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body and consists of nerve roots in the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the back of each leg. Portions of this nerve branch out to the thigh, calf, foot and toes. Sciatica nerve pain is often characterized by the following symptoms.

• Low back pain that radiates down the leg
• Leg pain with burning and tingling
• Numbness in the leg or feet
• Continual pain on one side of the buttock
• Sharp pain
• Trouble sitting and getting up

It’s important to note that sciatica is not a medical diagnosis in itself. It is actually a symptom of an underlying problem. And the root cause must be identified for effective treatment. Common lower back problems that can cause sciatica include degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar herniated disc and spondylolisthesis.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Disc degeneration is a natural process that often occurs as we age. But, for some people it can occur young. One or more degenerated discs in the spine or lower back can irritate a nerve root and cause sciatica. This disease is diagnosed when a weakened disc is exposed. Bone spurs may also develop with disc degeneration and cause sciatica.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is caused by a gradual narrowing of the spinal canal. It’s also common in the aging process and typically affects those over 50. It can be a result of a bulging disc, enlarged facet joints, arthritis or an overgrowth of soft tissue. Whatever the cause, it can result in back pain and sciatica pain.

Lumbar Herniated Disc

This condition occurs when the soft gel material of the disc leaks out and passes through the outer core. It irritates the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc. It’s also known as bulging disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc or protruding disc.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when a small stress fracture causes one vertebrae to slip forward on another. There’s then a disc space collapse. The nerve can get pinched and result in sciatica. Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe.

Relieve your back pain or sciatica today

For most people, back pain will come and go. However, what many people don’t realize, is that the underlying problem of poor joint movement, core weakness, and poor muscle coordination, will set them up for a future back injury, which can be significantly worse. 

Back pain and sciatica are both completely treatable through physical therapy. Our Melissa, TX physical therapist creates a specific treatment plan for you that is dependent upon your diagnosis. The early stages of your physical therapy treatment focuses on quick pain relief.

As your pain reduces, our physical therapist will expand on strengthening your core muscle group with specific therapeutic exercises and stretches. The goal here is to increase your strength and range of motion to prevent re-injury of your spine. Finally, we teach you ergonomics and ways to make sure you know how to take care of your spine, avoiding future problems.

If you are suffering from sciatica, our physical therapists will implement specific leg stretches into your treatment plan to loosen the sciatic nerve. This restores the natural health of the nerve and quickly reduces symptoms. 

If you are experiencing back pain or sciatica, request a free screening with one of our specialists at Physical Therapy of Melissa in Melissa, TX. No matter how severe the pain may be, our physical therapists will help you get on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.