Can Physical Therapy Resolve My Recurrent Sciatica for Good?

 About 40% of Americans struggle with sciatica pain during their lifetime. It can happen when a herniated disc, bone spur, or even tight muscles place pressure on your sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down each of your legs. The pain might be mild or downright disabling — often described as sharp, searing, burning, or electric shock-like.

Sciatica might strike for several reasons: poor posture, sitting too long, or heavy lifting. It’s more common with age, especially if you have a history of back problems. The good news? Sciatica often goes away (and stays away) with time, regenerative treatments, stretching, and specialized physical therapy. 

If your sciatic pain is extreme or ongoing, see Dr. Kevin O’Donnell at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC, conveniently located in the Denver metropolitan area, for holistic treatments that can ease your discomfort once and for all.

Benefits of physical therapy for sciatica

The benefits of choosing physical therapy as part of your recurrent sciatica treatment plan at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC include:

• Less overall pain
• Improved mobility
• Enhanced strength, endurance, and flexibility 
• Lower risk of further pain
• Long-lasting comfort
• Better posture
• Enhanced core strength
• Increased range of motion
• Reduced need to take medications
• Improved quality of life

Physical therapy helps strengthen and stretch nearby tissues to more effectively keep pressure off painful nerves.

How physical therapy resolves sciatica

The goal of physical therapy treatment for sciatica is to complete movements that reduce sciatic nerve pressure and prevent future flare-ups. 

Dr. O’Donnell may recommend combinations of pain-specific stretching exercises, yoga, strength training, and low-impact cardiovascular exercises (swimming, cycling, walking, etc.). Your program helps correct posture, strengthen your core, maximize your range of motion, and prevent recurring discomfort.

Dr. O’Donnell shows you which exercises to complete at home and which to do with your physical therapist — who may add manual manipulation to your therapy regimen to optimize pain-reducing outcomes.

Other treatments to try along with physical therapy include radial shockwave therapy (EPAT), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, prolotherapy, joint injections, and bone and fat stem cell treatment. Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC takes a personalized approach to care for sciatica based on the severity of your pain and your medical history, lifestyle, and treatment preferences. 

Mild to moderate sciatica cases often subside over time, as 80-90% of people with this bothersome condition get better without surgery. 

Reducing future sciatica pain

To prevent future sciatica pain after resolving the discomfort, take steps to keep unnecessary pressure off your sciatic nerve. Avoid improper form when lifting heavy objects, maintain good posture and healthy body weight, don’t smoke, and stay physically active. Continue with your physical therapy regimen and see Dr. O’Donnell at the first sign of recurring discomfort. 

Ease sciatica pain once and for all with the help of physical therapy at Revitalize Regenerative Orthopedics LLC. Contact us today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.