By Donell Irungo
Physiotherapy is highly effective in managing sciatica. If you have experienced the severe pain and symptoms of sciatica, you will appreciate how important it is to find the right treatment and management for this condition and its underlying causes.
Physiotherapy offers a comprehensive approach to relieve pain, improve function, and reduce the recurrence of sciatica.
Here are some of the tools and techniques a physiotherapist may use to treat your sciatica:
Manual therapy: Techniques such as mobilisations of the joints can improve mobility and reduce nerve irritation, and soft tissue release of the muscles along the sciatic nerve can provide relief. But manual therapy alone will not resolve sciatica. Note: It’s important to ensure that manual therapy is applied correctly to avoid worsening the condition. Manual therapy may not be suitable for everyone, especially if there are contraindications such as acute inflammation or certain spinal conditions.
Strengthening exercises: Strengthening any weak muscles in the lower back, abdomen and legs can help support the spine and reduce nerve pressure. It’s crucial to avoid holding your breath during exercises to prevent additional strain or restriction in moving your body smoothly. Strengthening exercises will enhance muscle endurance and stability, which can reduce reoccurrence of spine-related pain.
Stretching exercises: These relieve tension in the muscles around the sciatic nerve. However, since nerves do not stretch, holding stretches for a long time may increase neural sensitivity. Alternative exercises, such as dynamic stretches or mobility exercises, should be considered to improve trunk and leg mobility without irritating the nerve.
Postural training: Learning about the impact your posture has on pain is essential to avoiding further irritation of the sciatic nerve. While the concept of a “proper” posture varies, the focus should be on maintaining a posture that supports your comfort and function. It’s also important to avoid staying in any one position for too long.
Pain education: Understanding pain through the biopsychosocial (BPS) approach can significantly impact recovery. This involves learning about the nature of pain, how it is perceived by the body, and how factors such as stress and fear can exacerbate it. By reducing fear and anxiety associated with pain, you can better manage your symptoms and engage more effectively in rehabilitation.
Activity modulation: Gradual, controlled increases in activity are essential for managing sciatica. By encouraging you to remain active within your pain limits, you can gradually increase your activities. This approach helps prevent the deconditioning that can result from prolonged rest and promotes recovery.
In rare cases, certain physiotherapy techniques might initially increase pain if they are too intense or not performed correctly.
What is a wrong technique Incorrect techniques include those that overly strain or stretch the sciatic nerve, or those that are not suited to the individual’s condition. For example, aggressive stretching or exercises that involve excessive bending of the spine might exacerbate symptoms. It’s crucial to follow a physiotherapist’s guidance and not to push beyond your limits.
When is manual therapy not a good idea? Manual therapy might not be suitable if there is acute inflammation, severe disc herniation, or other structural abnormalities that could be aggravated by manipulation. In such cases, manual therapy could increase pain. It’s essential to have a thorough assessment before beginning any manual therapy.
Conclusion
By understanding the causes and symptoms of sciatica and engaging in a tailored physiotherapy programme, you can experience significant pain relief and improve your quality of life.
Remember, the key to managing sciatica effectively is a combination of education, exercise, posture awareness, and medical intervention when necessary.
Learn more in our Sciatica FAQs, including our top 3 exercises for sciatica.