What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that spreads along the path of the sciatic nerve-the sciatic nerve branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Most times, sciatica affects one side of the body. Sciatica happens when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) presses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. If you need treatment for your sciatic pain, contact our physical therapy Jamaica Queens NY.
Symptoms Of Sciatica
Some of the know symptoms of sciatica are:
- Pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttock and down the leg
- Feeling of discomfort along the pathway of the nerve
- Pain ranging from mild to sharp
- Burning sensation or excruciating pain are common
- Pain can worsen when one sneezes or coughs
- In rare cases, sciatica can cause cauda equina syndrome, which causes you to lose control of your bowels and bladder
How To Treat sciatica
Nonsurgical options:
- Physical therapy– Physical therapy Jamaica Queens can create a treatment plan with stretches and exercises that help relieve the stress put on the sciatic nerve.
- Limited bed rest- Three days off your feet does the trick. Lying on a firm mattress or the floor can help. After three days, you can resume your usual routine.
- Hot and Cold Pack- Applying both hot and cold packs for several minutes on your lower back a few times a day can do wonders. It is suggested you use the cold packs for the first couple of days then heat packs for the remainder of the treatment time.
- Alternative therapies- Alternatives such as yoga, massages, biofeedback, and acupuncture will help treat your sciatica.
- Medication- Over-the-counter pain relievers can be very helpful. When using over-the-counter pain relievers, make sure not to use it for an extended period of time before talking to your doctor.
If over-the-counter options don’t work, then your doctor can prescribe stronger muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories. Steroid injections work great for many suffering from pain caused by a sciatic nerve as well.
Surgery is another way sciatica can be treated if pain persists after physical therapy Jamaica Queens. With that being said, there are two main surgical procedures:
- Discectomy- For this surgery, the surgeon removes whatever is pressing on the sciatic nerve causing the pain. Though surgeons typically try to only take out the piece causing the problem, that is not always the case. It is sometimes necessary to take the full disk.
- Laminectomy- Lamina is part of the ring of bone that covers the spinal cord. During surgery, the surgeon removes the lamina and any tissue pressing against the nerve.
How Jamaica Chiropractic and Physical Therapy Can Help
For those suffering from sciatica it can feel like getting the relief you need is nearly impossible. Physical therapy Jamaica Queens at Jamaica Chiropractic and Physical Therapy will help you. We offer catered exercises and stretches that will improve your condition. So if you are in Jamaica Queens and are in need of physical therapy Jamaica Queens for sciatica, look no further Jamaica Chiropractic and Physical Therapy is here to help! To learn more or book an appointment visit our website.
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