Back pain and sciatica are the most commonly reported pain in the United States, according to the American Physical Therapy Association. One in every four Americans has experienced back pain in the last three months.
Do you ever wake up with back pain? If so, you may have sciatica. While back pain and sciatica are similar, they also have differences that are frequently misunderstood.
Back pain is most commonly felt in the upper, middle, or lower back. Sciatica can cause pain to radiate down the back, buttock, thigh, and even the legs.
If you wake up with back pain, or if you have been noticing pains in your back, buttocks, or thighs, our Dunes Plaza, Willowcreek Rd, and Sand Creek physical therapy services can help.
Whether you have back pain or sciatica, don’t rely on medicines to help you mask your pain!
Our Dunes Plaza, Willowcreek Rd, and Sand Creek physical therapists at Chesterton Physical Therapy will get to the bottom of the pain you are experiencing, so they can help you provide long-term relief. In many cases, our treatments may even eliminate the need for potentially harmful painkillers like opioids or invasive surgical procedures.
Call us today to schedule an appointment, so you can begin to find effective and lasting relief!
“Back pain” is a very broad term that can be caused by an array of different conditions. For example, you may experience back pain due to having poor posture, a motor vehicle accident, or an injury sustained while lifting something heavy. You could also have back pain from poor posture.
Back pain can be described as acute, meaning it is short-term, or chronic, meaning it is long-term (typically lasting for three months or longer).
The treatment plan that our Dunes Plaza, Willowcreek Rd, and Sand Creek physical therapist sets up for you, will depend on how you developed the back pain, in addition to its exact location and your past medical history.
Are you interested in learning how we can help? Read our blog to learn how we can help!
Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that is pretty easy to diagnose, although it is reported as being highly uncomfortable. People with sciatica experience pain along the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body.
The sciatic nerve begins at your lower back and then splits at the base of your spine to extend further down to your buttocks, and legs, and finally ends at the bottom of each foot.
The sciatic nerve can become compressed or irritated, which causes a “shooting,” “stinging,” or “burning” sensation in your lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet.
“Lumbar radiculopathy” is the medical term for sciatica. People who develop this condition are typically between the ages of 30 and 50. Most commonly with sciatica, people lose flexibility in the hips and pelvis, causing the hip and gluteal muscles to tighten. As a result, the spine mechanics become altered, and the sciatic nerve compresses as it travels through these tissues.
Sciatica can be caused by a variety of injuries, including arthritis, bone spurs, or any other injury to the sciatic nerve.
In most cases, general back pain develops as a result of an injury. This could be due to repetitive strains, such as leaning down multiple times throughout the day to pick up a toddler, or it could be due to more serious, sudden trauma, such as a car accident.
Herniated discs and other underlying conditions can also cause severe back pain and radiculopathy in your thigh, leg, or foot.
Degenerative disc disease is a common condition that causes back pain as we age. Those living with this condition typically experience dull, aching pain in their lower back, in addition to difficulty standing or walking for extended periods.
There are numerous reasons why you might be experiencing this type of pain, and the best way to find out for sure is to see a physical therapist.
While both back pain and sciatica are painful and unfortunate conditions to deal with, both can be successfully treated with physical therapy. Based on your diagnosis, our Dunes Plaza, Willowcreek Rd, and Sand Creek physical therapists will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
To loosen the sciatic nerve, our physical therapists will recommend specific leg stretches to your treatment plan for sciatica. This quickly restores the nerve’s natural health and reduces the symptoms you are experiencing.
Back pain can come and go, but it is critical to treat it as soon as you notice it! If not, it may result in poor joint movement, core weakness, and poor muscle coordination, all of which can lead to future injuries.
The initial stages of your physical therapy treatment plan will be focused on providing immediate pain relief. Following that, your physical therapist will broaden your treatment to include strengthening your core muscle group with therapeutic exercises and stretching. This helps to improve your strength and range of motion, preventing re-injury to your spine.
Your physical therapist will also teach you how to use ergonomic techniques to protect your spine while performing daily tasks, such as sitting at a desk or driving.
Be sure to visit our locations today for help!
Do you have any of the aforementioned back pain or sciatica symptoms? If so, you can get help from Chesterton Physical Therapy right away. Our Dunes Plaza, Willowcreek Rd, and Sand Creek physical therapists are eager to assist you in getting back on your feet!
Please contact us today or click here to request your appointment.
The best treatment for back pain and sciatica depends on the root cause, but most people benefit from a combination of physical therapy, posture correction, stretching, strengthening exercises, and hands-on mobilization. At Chesterton Physical Therapy, we create personalized treatment plans to reduce nerve pressure, improve mobility, and relieve pain long-term.
The most effective treatment for sciatica is one that reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve. This often includes:
Targeted physical therapy
Manual therapy and spinal mobilization
Core and hip strengthening
Stretching for tight muscles
Posture and movement correction
In severe cases, medical interventions may be recommended, but most patients experience major improvement with physical therapy alone.
Yes. Sciatica is often caused by issues in the lower back, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or muscle tightness that irritates the sciatic nerve. This is why people commonly feel pain in the lower back along with radiating pain down the leg.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is most commonly linked to nerve-related pain, including symptoms similar to sciatica. Low levels of vitamins B6, D, and E may also contribute to nerve irritation and muscle weakness. A healthcare provider can check your levels and recommend supplements if needed.
The best sleeping positions for sciatica include:
On your side with a pillow between your knees
On your back with a pillow under your knees
These positions reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and keep the spine aligned, helping you wake up with less pain.
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