As a specialist physical therapist, often see patients who have tried physical therapy for sciatica, and it hasn't worked. If this applies to you, the good news is, there are other things that you can do to get relief that DON'T require surgery.
Watch this video to learn why physical therapy may not work for sciatica and what to do to get relief.
Almost there! Please complete this form and click the button below to gain instant access.
Fill Out The Form To Claim YOUR Copy Of “6 Natural Solutions To Stop Sciatica” (...It’s Currently FREE!)
Why Physical Therapy May Not Work for Sciatica
One common reason why physical therapy might not work for sciatica is due to a misdiagnosis.
Sciatica is a symptom that can be caused by various issues, such as pinched nerves in the lower back or muscle tightness in the hip.
If the root cause of your sciatica isn't properly identified, then the treatment may not target the right problem.
Additionally, sciatica symptoms can overlap with other conditions, like sacroiliac joint dysfunction or hip muscle pain. These can feel similar to sciatica but may need a different approach.
Therefore, it’s essential to get an accurate diagnosis before diving into treatment plans.
And that doesn't necessarily mean having an MRI, but rather finding out what movements and activities improve or worsen your symptoms.
After all, the picture on your MRI isn't something you have control over. However, you CAN control what you do, and that gives you power to relieve your sciatica.
How to Treat Sciatica from Pinched Nerves in the Lower Back
Pinched nerves in the lower back are a frequent cause of sciatica.
This issue is often aggravated by certain positions and activities.
For example, some people feel worse when standing or walking, which can indicate an extension-related problem.
Others may feel more pain when bending forward, suggesting a flexion-related problem.
If standing or walking increases your pain, focus on keeping your lower back in a more neutral or flexed position.
You can achieve this by gently rolling your pelvis under to flatten your back when sitting or standing.
Conversely, if forward bending causes discomfort, try to maintain an arch in your lower back and use lumbar support when sitting.
Be mindful of your posture throughout the day, as what you do outside of your exercises can significantly impact your symptoms.
Adjusting your movements and posture can help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, reducing pain.
How to Treat Sciatica from Piriformis Syndrome
Another common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome, where the sciatic nerve is compressed by a muscle in the hip called the piriformis.
If your sciatica originates from this area, it’s essential to identify whether your piriformis muscle is too tight or overstretched.
A simple test is to sit and cross one leg over the other.
If one side feels tighter than the other, stretching the tight side can help.
However, if the symptomatic side is already flexible, stretching may worsen the pain.
In this case, focus on strengthening the hip muscles to support the piriformis without overstretching it.
Strengthening exercises, such as standing on one leg and maintaining level hips, can help.
Practicing this in front of a mirror ensures proper form. Over time, these exercises can reduce stress on the sciatic nerve, relieving symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome.
What If Physical Therapy Isn't Helping My Sciatica?
If you’ve tried physical therapy for sciatica but haven’t found relief, you may be having the wrong type of physical therapy.
With the right approach, you can often relieve sciatica without surgery, and you should be able to tell that physical therapy is working within the first few visits.
Need Help For Sciatica?
If you need help for sciatica, I can almost 100% guarantee you that our physical therapy is DIFFERENT from the type of therapy you've tried in the past.
I'll leave it up to you to decide if it's better or worse, but I can guarantee that it won't be the same.
If you'd like to find out for yourself how our unique physical therapy for sciatica can help you get relief, tap the button below to request an appointment.