Sciatica is characterized by leg pain, shooting pain down the leg, muscle weakness, spasms, and tingling and numbness that can reach all the way down to the toes. This highly debilitating condition can put a serious strain on your quality of life and take you away from the people and activities you love. The good news is that there are a variety of effective treatment options, including exercise. 

While it may seem counterintuitive, exercises for sciatica pain can provide a number of important benefits and are often a cornerstone of an effective treatment plan. For patients with severe sciatica pain who are experiencing difficulty in carrying out an exercise plan, physical therapy sessions with a trained professional can help. 

As you read over this quick and informative overview, we welcome you to reach out with any questions you have. We’re happy to help!

How physical therapists help with developing a sciatica pain exercise plan

As experts in the form and function of the musculoskeletal system, licensed physical therapists can identify posture and mechanical issues that contribute to sciatica. This is accomplished by discussing symptoms and daily activities, reviewing your health history, and administering posture and movement tests. From there, you and your therapist can create a targeted treatment plan, including therapeutic exercises that are designed to help with sciatica pain in the following ways: 

• Strengthening core muscles and glut muscles, which can help support the body and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve
• Stretching exercises to allow new movement patterns
• Learning movements that put less stress on the sciatic nerve 
• Improving posture to more evenly distribute weight
• Increasing range of motion to make it easier to carry out the activities of daily life

In addition to exercises, physical therapy can involve other techniques, including manual therapies like myofascial release and soft tissue mobilization. You will also receive instruction on supplementing your in-office sessions with at-home treatments and exercises. 

Franklin Rehab — your home for sciatica relief

At Franklin Rehab, we built our practice on providing a high level of patient-centered care to everyone who comes to us for relief. This means a custom-tailored sciatica pain-relief plan from an experienced clinician to help you overcome this condition if it’s affecting your life and well-being. 

To learn more and schedule your initial appointment, contact us today.