What exactly is sciatica, and how will physical therapy help?
If you’ve been struggling with burning, tingling, or aching in your extremities, it may be time to see a physical therapist about sciatica. Sciatica is one of the most common sports-related conditions that can significantly impact your athletic performance.
At Atta Rehab in Hawaii, we’re experts in sciatica, radiating pain, and other sports-related injuries. Our ultimate goal is to resolve your symptoms and improve your body’s functions, so you can get back to performing as you used to.
To set up your first appointment, call us today!
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a term that describes intense and severe pain that travels along the sciatic nerve path. This type of pain often originates in the lumbar spine (lower back) and extends to the buttock and legs.
Sciatica is often seen in sports such as tennis and golf involving contact or repetitive lower back motion. Sciatica pain can vary greatly and significantly impact your athletic performance. General signs and symptoms of sciatica include:
- Radiating pain from the buttocks to one or both legs
- Muscle weakness in one or both legs
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the affected area
- Sharp pain that becomes worse when standing or walking
Fortunately, our physical therapists are highly skilled at getting to the root cause of your pain and providing guidance to resolve it so you can get back to training and competition.
Common causes of sciatica in sports
Sciatica can be the result of many root causes. The condition stems from inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots. Some common causes of sports-related sciatica include:
Herniated Disc: This condition refers to a malfunction with the rubbery disc between your spinal bones. Herniated discs occur when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the exterior casing.
Sports-related herniated or bulging disks are relatively common. Even though the mechanisms of the injury vary slightly depending on where on the spine it happens, the results are always the same.
Injury: Many athletic injuries can lead to sciatica. Fractures are a common cause of sciatica that is often seen in sports such as football, gymnastics, rugby, and basketball.
Overuse: Repetitive wear and tear can cause sciatica, specifically in the spinal region. For example, a tennis player repeating the same motions during each practice and game is susceptible to sciatica from overuse.
Your physical therapist will discuss the cause of your pain more in-depth, so you can better understand what’s going on with your body and how it can be treated. Patient education is imperative in physical therapy so athletes can learn how to prevent future injuries and maintain their recovery.
Treatments and What to Expect
Physical therapy is one of the most common and effective treatment methods for sciatica. Using evidence-based healing strategies, our physical therapists at Atta Rehab in Hawaii can address your pain with exercises that will increase your range of motion, strength, joint mobility, and muscle condition in your spine, hips, and legs.
At the start of treatment, you and your physical therapist will have a comprehensive assessment where your PT will assess your condition and get to the root of your pain. After collecting essential details about your medical history and general health, we will design a treatment plan to relieve your pain and lingering symptoms as quickly as possible.
During treatment, your PT will use a combination of hands-on techniques and corrective exercises, reducing pressure on your sciatic nerve and improving mobility in your neck, back, and spine. Additionally, your PT may utilize modalities such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound equipment during therapy.
Our combination of different healing methods delivers quick results while allowing patients can recover faster. Each of our exercises is evidence-based and catered to athletes or physically active individuals.
Request an appointment at Atta Rehab today!
We understand that sciatica is a frustrating condition that can significantly delay your athletic performance. However, with physical therapy in Hawaii, we can tackle symptoms head-on and get you back on the field in no time.
Call us to set up an appointment and start your recovery today!
