Sciatica

Radiating pain down your lower back into your hip and leg is an indicator of sciatica. It affects up to 40% of people during their lifetime. At Holsman Physical Therapy, which has 17 locations throughout New Jersey and New York City, their experienced therapy team offers holistic treatments for sciatica discomfort to relieve pain caused by nerve pressure. Schedule an evaluation by calling the nearest office or booking an appointment online today.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica appears because of pressure on your sciatic nerve, which travels from your lower back down each of your legs. The pain you experience because of sciatica can become severe and debilitating when not addressed. See the Holsman Physical Therapy experts at the first sign of ongoing or extreme sciatic nerve discomfort.

Which symptoms can sciatica cause?

The symptoms of sciatica may include:

• Low back, buttocks, and leg pain
• Radiating discomfort
• Electric shock-like pain
• Numbness 
• Tingling
• Burning discomfort
• Leg weakness 
• Sharp pain
• Jolting pain

Discomfort linked to sciatica might worsen when you sneeze, cough, or sit for long periods. It often affects one side of the body and ranges in severity from mild to crippling. You may develop bowel or bladder changes.

What may increase the risk of sciatica?

Sciatica pain could develop because of:

• Disc herniation
• Bone spurs in your spine
• Pinched sciatic nerve
• Obesity
• Physically demanding job
• Diabetes
• Prolonged sitting

Maintain an ideal weight, exercise regularly, eat nutritious foods, and use good posture when sitting to reduce the risk of sciatica. Warm up and stretch before exercising, and use proper form when lifting heavy objects. 

How is sciatica diagnosed?

Your provider diagnoses sciatica after discussing your symptoms and medical history, completing a physical exam, and ordering imaging procedures (X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, etc.) when necessary. You might need nerve testing to determine how severe a nerve injury is.

How is sciatica treated?

Holsman Physical Therapy offers physical therapy, massage, and spinal decompression to treat sciatica discomfort. Your specialist stretches and strengthens the affected tissues to reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve. You might try ice or heat packs, stretching, and injury-specific exercises at home.

If you need additional treatments, such as medications, injections, or surgery, the Holsman Physical Therapy team provides referrals.

They follow up to ensure your sciatica treatment works effectively. You might complete physical therapy sessions several times weekly, once a week, or as needed. Call the Holsman Physical Therapy office at any time with questions. 

Schedule a sciatica evaluation at Holsman Physical Therapy by calling the office or booking an appointment online today. The practice has convenient locations in Lyndhurst, Fair Lawn, Cedar Grove, Caldwell, Bloomfield, Maplewood, Newark, South Orange, Clifton, Paterson, Kearney, Jersey City, and Rahway, New Jersey, and the Crotona and Van Nest neighborhoods in the Bronx and the Cypress Hills neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City.