Sciatica
At Park Rehab, we focus on restoring balance to the body, which is critical in treating sciatica effectively. We don’t just treat the pain; we work to fix the root causes, which may involve nerve irritation from spinal misalignments or muscle tension.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. This pain is often caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, typically in the lower back. Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying issue, such as a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal misalignment. These conditions can put pressure on the nerve, leading to the characteristic pain, which can range from mild to severe. At our clinic, we work to identify the root cause of sciatica and address it with targeted treatments.
What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
The symptoms of sciatica can vary from person to person, but they commonly include:
- Sharp or shooting pain: This is the most common symptom and often travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back or buttock, down the leg, and sometimes into the foot. The pain can be constant or occur sporadically.
- Numbness or tingling: Many people with sciatica report a sensation of numbness, pins-and-needles, or tingling, particularly in the leg or foot.
- Muscle weakness: The affected leg may feel weak or difficult to move, which can interfere with everyday activities like walking or standing.
- Pain aggravated by movement: The pain can worsen with certain movements, like sitting for long periods, standing up, or twisting the torso.
- Pain on one side: Sciatica typically affects only one side of the body, although it can affect both in rare cases.
This combination of symptoms can make it difficult for people to perform regular tasks, such as bending, lifting, or even walking, leading to a significant decrease in quality of life. Many individuals try over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, heat or cold packs, and stretching exercises found online to relieve the pain, but these methods often provide only temporary relief.
What Is Our Approach To Treating Sciatica?
At Park Rehab, we take a holistic and multi-faceted approach to treating sciatica pain. Our goal is not only to relieve the symptoms but also to address the underlying causes of the irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. We use a variety of effective treatment methods to provide long-lasting relief, including:
- Cold Laser Therapy: This non-invasive treatment promotes healing by reducing inflammation and encouraging tissue repair in the affected areas, such as the lower back and hips.
- Shockwave Therapy: A proven method to break up trigger points and muscle spasms, shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in soft tissues, helping to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Trigger Point Dry Needling: This technique targets the tight, painful knots (trigger points) in muscles around the lower back and pelvis, helping to release tension and reduce muscle spasms that contribute to sciatica pain.
- Electrical Stimulation: Used in conjunction with other therapies, electrical stimulation helps to calm down nerve irritation and muscle spasms, providing pain relief and promoting healing.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: We use hands-on techniques to manipulate the soft tissues around the spine, hips, and pelvis to restore normal movement and relieve tension that may be contributing to the sciatic pain.
- Pelvic and Spinal Alignment: Many cases of sciatica are due to issues with the sacroiliac (SI) joint or misalignment in the lumbosacral pelvis complex. We focus on realigning these areas to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve overall function.
A key part of our treatment approach is to first calm down the inflammation and release muscle spasms before focusing on restoring normal movement and alignment. By breaking up trigger points and improving spinal and pelvic alignment, we can help reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve, allowing it to heal and function properly.
At Park Rehab, we focus on restoring balance to the body, which is critical in treating sciatica effectively. We don’t just treat the pain; we work to fix the root causes, which may involve nerve irritation from spinal misalignments or muscle tension. Our goal is to get you back to your regular activities, whether that’s exercising, walking, or simply enjoying a pain-free life.
Download Our free Report
If sciatica pain is becoming a real problem and you haven’t found lasting relief, download our free comprehensive pain guide today – filled with tips and tricks you can help to alleviate your pain from the comfort of your own home. This guide will also identify the next steps you can take to continue on your health and wellness journey so you can achieve long-term relief.