Can Physical Therapy Resolve My Recurrent Sciatica for Good?

Sciatica affects 10%-40% of people in their lifetimes, causing an array of secondary challenges like trouble sleeping and walking. While most cases resolve on their own in just 4-6 weeks, recurrent sciatica is possible and impacts your life long-term.

If you’re searching for a solution for your recurrent sciatica, our team of expert physical therapists at Elation Physical Therapy can provide the tools you need to heal. At our offices in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas, you can get personalized physical therapy to control sciatica symptoms. 

Here’s everything you need to know about managing sciatica with physical therapy: 

How sciatica starts

Sciatica involves shooting pain or burning down the lower back, buttock, and leg along the sciatic nerve. The pain from sciatica can worsen when you bend down, twist, or cough. 

The sciatic nerve is the longest in your body, originating in your lower back and traveling down the back of each leg into your heel. 

The sciatic nerve can be compressed, causing sciatica from: 

• A herniated disc
• Degenerated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Osteoarthritis in the spine
• Cysts, tumors, and other growths
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis 
• Pregnancy

Your risk for sciatica is higher than average if you’re overweight, have low core strength, or have had spinal injuries in the past. 

Managing sciatica through physical therapy 

Physical therapy is usually a first-line treatment for sciatica: It’s noninvasive and nonpharmaceutical. While physical therapy can have immense benefits for people with sciatica and improve quality of life, it may or may not be enough to resolve recurrent sciatica on its own. 

When you get physical therapy for sciatica, your sessions involve exercises to relieve symptoms and promote healing for the underlying injury or condition. The Elation Physical Therapy team blends physical therapy strategies to reach your goals, including:

• Structured exercises
• Strength and balance training
• Flexibility training
• Aquatic therapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Electrotherapy

With strategic planning, physical therapy may improve your sciatica symptoms and restore your mobility. 

Getting the most from physical therapy for sciatica

Although it’s hard to predict how much physical therapy will improve sciatica, you can do a few things to optimize your time at Elation Physical Therapy. Our team recommends staying committed to your plan and not skipping any physical therapy sessions. 

Based on the cause of your recurrent sciatica and its severity, they might recommend other treatments alongside physical therapy to improve your symptoms. Recurrent sciatica might improve with: 

• Heat and ice therapy
• Stretching at home
• Over-the-counter medications
• Spinal injections
• Alternative therapies (e.g., massage therapy, biofeedback)

Within a comprehensive treatment plan accounting for your needs, physical therapy gives you a chance to resolve your recurrent sciatica for good. Call Elation Physical Therapy or book an appointment online to consult our team today.