Back pain is one of the most common pains suffered. Very often, low back pain becomes a chronic issue. Lower back pain and sciatica can affect people of all ages. It can affect anyone who has to sit or stand for prolonged periods, people who have physically demanding jobs or those who have recently experienced some form of physical trauma like a car accident.
If you or a loved one have been experiencing any early warning symptoms of a back injury or sciatica that include numbness, tingling, and intense pain – physiotherapy can help. Our experienced and registered physical therapists have the skills needed to provide safe, effective and non-invasive treatment for patients of all ages.
Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of physiotherapy for low back pain and sciatica.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a chronic low back pain condition when the sciatic nerve is aggravated. Although any condition that disturbs the sciatic nerve can cause the pain, in most cases sciatica is the result of a compressed nerve in the lower spine.
This common musculoskeletal condition is not just limited to the lower back. Sciatic nerve being the longest nerve in the body, patients may experience pain throughout the entire length of this nerve- from the lower back, into the buttocks, then down through the legs and feet.
Sciatica may also be a result of an injured spinal disc compressing the sciatic nerve. When a patient has a ruptured disc as a result of any injury, it may protrude and put pressure on the adjacent nerve. This type of injury can be the result of regular wear and tear, repetitive stress on the lower back or any accident.
Other common underlying issues that may result in sciatic nerve pain include:
• Osteoarthritis • Degenerated Disc • Spinal Stenosis
Common Symptoms and Risk Factors Associated
Not just a nagging pain, patients may frequently experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain radiating from the buttocks into the back of the leg and sometimes into the feet.
- Shooting pain in the legs, numbness, and burning pain.
- Back stiffness
- Less flexibility of movement in hip area.
- Weakness in the legs
- Decreased reflexes in the legs
- Muscle tenderness and spasms
Patients may also find that their pain and other symptoms seem more severe in the morning and after prolonged periods of standing or sitting.
How Does Physiotherapy Help Treat Sciatica and Low Back Pain?
After diagnosing the exact cause of the pain, our physiotherapist will help relieve the pain through the use of targeted and specialised physiotherapy treatment. This safe, non-invasive and prescription drug-free treatment protocol is designed to provide dual benefit – promote faster natural healing and fast pain relief.
Instead of simply treating your symptoms, physiotherapy is designed to alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve for long-lasting relief. Get the best back pain relief treatment. Contact us at SwaHealth Physiotherapy Rehab Clinic today, at New Alipore, Kolkata, for more information and be sure to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
The back pain you experience may either be intense or chronic,
depending on how it was sustained. Acute pain means that the pain
is intense although lasting for a short time. Chronic pain means there has been a persistent, dull or fluctuating pain for three months or more. You must seek the help of a physiotherapist in the following conditions:
• If your pain is bad enough to hinder you from doing daily tasks
• if the pain suddenly worsens
• if the pain has lasted longer than three months
You can treat your back pain with physiotherapy. Physical therapy effectively reduces back pain by strengthening the affected area, focusing to improve your range of motion and reducing tension in the muscles. In many cases, physiotherapy can significantly reduce the severity of your back pain and help you avoid more invasive procedures, such as surgery.
Your physical therapist at SWAhealth physiotherapy will design a treatment protocol based on your specific needs and the best methods. Your customized treatment protocol’s objective will be to relieve your pain, facilitate the healing process and restore function and movement to the affected area(s). Your initial appointment will consist of a comprehensive assessment, which will help your physiotherapist discover which forms of treatment will be best for you. The main stages of your plan will focus on pain relief, which may include any combination of ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, posture improvement, targeted stretches and exercises, or any other treatment methods which includes state-of-the-art equipment based on the latest technology from Germany.
