How Physical Therapy Helps Alleviate Sciatic Nerve Pain | Sciatica Doctor New Albany

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Sciatic Nerve Pain | Sciatica Doctor New Albany

Pain, numbness, and tingling down the leg are some of the most common side effects of sciatica. Fortunately, physical therapy can be very effective in treating these symptoms. If you have sciatic nerve pain in New Albany, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help relieve the pain and regain normal function that is often lost as a result of sciatic nerve compression. 

At 1st Choice Health & Wellness, we offer sciatica treatment in New Albany, IN. At our clinic, we treat the whole patient, not just the symptoms. We believe the proper management of both acute and chronic sciatica pain requires a comprehensive and individually-tailored treatment approach for every patient. 

Learn how New Albany sciatica doctors at 1st Choice Health & Wellness can help you relieve pain and live better.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a disorder that causes discomfort in the leg. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, cramping, burning, and weakness in the muscles of the leg. Your sciatic nerve exits the spine in your low back, and if the nerve becomes pinched or irritated--often due to a slipped spinal disc or misalignment in the pelvis--it can cause referred leg pain, numbness, and tingling.

Common problems resulting in sciatica may include 

• Herniated disc/Ruptured Disc

• Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the spine)

• Tightness in the hip

• Misalignment of the pelvis

How Our New Albany Physical Therapist Can Provide Sciatica Pain Relief

If you are having sciatica symptoms, we can help. The main goals of our physical therapy treatment of sciatic nerve pain is to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, and prevent recurring dysfunction by improving the strength and endurance of important muscles. 

The best PT treatment for a patient with sciatica varies greatly from person to person, which can include a combination of strengthening exercises, stretching, massage therapy, aerobic conditioning and chiropractic. All patients are unique with their pain and treatment should address each patient’s specific needs. 

Our New Albany Physical Therapist, Tim Miller PT, will look over your medical history and perform an evaluation, which includes assessing your joint motion, functional ability, balance and coordination, muscle performance and posture. We will recommend a comprehensive treatment plan, monitor your progress, and provide hands-on support during exercise routines.

Our physical therapist will also educate the patient on how to correctly perform therapeutic exercises, perform daily functional tasks (both at work and at home) and reduce chances of injury in order to maximize pain-free mobility. 

Physical Therapy Treatment for Sciatica in New Albany at 1st Choice

The therapies and techniques used to treat sciatica will depend on the unique patient’s history, symptoms, and overall health. Treatment may include:

• Therapeutic exercise to improve strength, endurance, and flexibility of important muscles, including hamstrings and abdominal/core muscles

• Manual therapy, including soft-tissue massage and/or nerve gliding techniques, to help release pressure on affected nerves

• Joint mobilization techniques, to reduce pain and restore normal mobility the spine, hips, and/or shoulders

• Therapeutic modalities, including electrical stimulation and cryotherapy (ice or heat) to help reduce pain and inflammation

If you’re looking for a sciatica doctor in New Albany, call 1st Choice Health & Wellness today to schedule an appointment with our physical therapist. Our team provides both preventative and PT rehabilitation services to patients of all ages, including high school, college, and university sports teams, as well as professional athletes. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve optimal health!

If you’re suffering from sciatica in New Albany, call us today to help you relieve pain and live better!