Philadelphia Physical Therapy For Sciatica

Do you have mild to severe back pain that becomes worse in sitting? What about shooting, searing, or sharp pain radiating down one or both legs? It’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional if you experience troubling symptoms of any kind. That said, if you said yes to these questions, it’s possible that you have a syndrome called sciatica. Read on to learn more about sciatica and how the physical therapy team at Oxford Rehabilitation Center can help. 

Physical Therapy for Sciatica in Philadelphia: Diagnosis, Causes, and Symptoms

The term sciatica (also known as lumbar radiculopathy) does not describe one specific condition, but rather a syndrome of signs and symptoms that can be caused by one of several problems within the lower back. This syndrome is hallmarked by compression or impingement to the sciatic nerve, which exits on both sides of the spinal cord near the bottom of your spine. This nerve–the largest in your body–plays a critical role in the strength and sensation of your legs.

When the sciatic nerve is compressed or impinged, it often becomes injured and inflamed. Injury to the sciatic nerve can lead to uncomfortable, often debilitating, symptoms, including:

• Pain in low back, hips, buttocks, or legs (often worse in sitting)
• Weakness in one or both legs
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in one or both legs
• Impaired mobility, sleep, and activity tolerance

Compression of the sciatic nerve can be caused by one of several different factors, such as a bone spur, disk herniation, degenerative joint disease, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal). 

You’re more at risk for developing sciatica if you smoke, sit a lot, have diabetes, and/or are overweight. 

How Can Philadelphia Physical Therapy Help With My Sciatica Symptoms?

A physical therapist can play a pivotal role in your recovery from sciatica. As with any physical disorder, the primary goals of physical therapy is to reduce inflammation, promote tissue healing, relieve pain, and restore normal mobility, strength, and neuromuscular functioning of the body. For sciatica, this can be achieved through several treatment approaches, including:

• Manual traction/spinal decompression

• Soft tissue mobilization

• Neuromuscular re-education

• Aquatic therapy

• Therapeutic exercises to strengthen and stretch important muscles 

The exact course of treatment varies from person to person, and often depends on the cause and severity of sciatica symptoms.

Do You Believe You’re Struggling With Symptoms of Sciatica? Visit Our Philadelphia Chiropractor For Help

Oxford Rehabilitation Center is proud to be one of Philadelphia’s premier facilities for specialized care of major injuries and trauma- or surgery-related physical dysfunction. Diverse and multi-lingual, our integrated rehabilitative team–including doctors of chiropractic, physical therapists, and acupuncturists–places YOU at the very center of your wellness plan while honoring and supporting your role in your own recovery. We believe that true healing starts from within, and we’re happy to offer advanced, all-natural, and effective therapeutic approaches that promote overall health and well-being. If you’ve been debilitated by your sciatica symptoms and would like to make an appointment with a chiropractor, call us today at 215-725-2000. 

Ask about our current exclusive offers for patients, including 20% off family plans to our state-of-the-art fitness center!