Can Physical Therapy Resolve My Sciatica for Good?

If you’re in physical therapy for your sciatica, you’re already on the right track. Physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for the pain, burning, or a shock-like sensation down the back of your leg, which are all characteristic of sciatica. 

Double board-certified pain management specialist Glenn Flanagan, MD, recommends physical therapy as a first-line treatment for sciatica at Naples Regenerative Institute in Naples, Florida. 

Sometimes, physical therapy alone is enough to remove pressure from the sciatic nerve and resolve symptoms. But every person with sciatica is different, and there’s no guarantee that physical therapy will eliminate your sciatica or that results will be permanent. 

Here’s everything you should know about how physical therapy treats sciatica and how well it works: 

How sciatica starts

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve (your body’s longest) is compressed. The sciatic nerve travels through your buttocks and down the back of your leg. 

Several conditions and injuries can result in sciatic nerve compression. Your sciatic nerve might be pinched by:

• A herniated disc
• Bone spurs (bony overgrowths)
• Spinal injuries
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine)
• Osteoarthritis
• A tumor near the spine (this is rare)

The symptoms of sciatica can vary. You may experience shooting pain down the buttocks and back of your leg, or a more intense tingling or burning sensation. Some people with sciatica experience numbness on the back of the affected leg. 

Rarely, sciatica can cause muscle weakness, bladder incontinence, or bowel incontinence. 

Effectiveness of physical therapy for sciatica

Physical therapy involves gentle exercises and stretches that help take pressure off a compressed sciatic nerve, thus improving the symptoms of sciatica. 

When you visit Naples Regenerative Institute for sciatica treatment, physical therapy is one of Dr. Flanagan’s first recommendations. He may recommend it in conjunction with other treatments, such as MLS laser therapy,  prolotherapy, PRP, or stem cell therapy, to enhance your chances of experiencing lasting relief. Traditional treatments like epidurals with steroids can also be considered, but Dr. Flanagan typically uses lower doses of steroids to minimize adverse effects.

Physical therapy is noninvasive and low risk. In a study, people who received physical therapy for sciatica reported more pain reduction and less disability than people who weren’t referred for physical therapy.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone with sciatica is a great candidate for physical therapy, and there’s no guarantee of results. That’s why Dr. Flanagan provides a personalized treatment plan to every person at Naples Regenerative Institute. 

What to do if sciatica comes back

Even if physical therapy relieves your sciatica initially, sciatica can return. Let Dr. Flanagan know if your symptoms don’t improve with your current treatment or if they recur later. 

Dr. Flanagan might suggest resuming physical therapy or adding other treatments to your plan, such as low-dose cortisone injections or regenerative therapies.

Get in touch

Do you want to resolve your sciatica for good? Call Naples Regenerative Institute or schedule an appointment online for personalized physical therapy and other effective treatment today.