One common cause of lower back pain comes from sciatica, a condition where the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back to the legs, becomes irritated or inflamed. The symptoms include pain and numbness in one leg and in severe cases it becomes debilitating. Fortunately, a series of visits to physical therapy Yukon could reduce the symptoms and bring long-lasting relief.
What Causes Sciatic Pain
Often, sciatica results from an underlying condition such as a herniated disk or a bone spur or growth. Additional causes include a traumatic accident or the presence of diabetes. Risk factors for sciatica include age, prolonged periods of inactivity or sitting and obesity. Overuse can exacerbate the situation, causing a flare up of pain and numbness.
While rest will help to some extent, especially in mild cases, the extreme pain in some people calls for a more proactive treatment. The benefits of regular visits to a professional physical therapy office include the following:
- Immediate improvement of symptoms
- Quick pain relief
- Professional care
- Ability to return to work
- Improvement of mental health
Dealing with chronic sciatica often causes individuals to feel a sense of despair, which is why seeking timely treatment is so important. By searching for physical therapy near me, individuals can find an office that has the resources to develop treatment programs for sciatica. An effective program reduces the need for surgery in many people and it can get the patient back on track after only a few visits. Additional visits will continue to provide benefits such as increased mobility and general strengthening of the lower back.
Excellent Stretches To Relieve Pain
Physical therapists have a good understanding of how the body works and which muscles work in concert with the bone structure and nervous system. One common but effective approach is to use stretching exercises that loosen up specific areas of the back. These targeted stretches reduce tension and strain on muscles. Patients can then use these stretches at home and even begin to incorporate yoga into the treatment plan.
Patients at Moore physical therapy will have the use of a state-of-the-art facility that utilizes many technological advances. A typical session runs about 40-60 minutes and includes discussions with the physical therapist and a number of treatments that include exercises and stretches. These activities are designed to improve strength, mobility and pain relief. After one or two visits, patients can often perform many of the stretches at home, though it is often beneficial for additional treatments at the facility.
As the patient improves and sees a reduction in symptoms, the pherapist will modify the treatment plan. This might include more aggressive stretching and exercises or it could target more specific muscles. Severe pain never plays a role in treatment so communication between the therapist and the patient remains an important element of successful treatment.
Every case of sciatica and lower back pain has unique factors. A personal approach to each case has the best results. Individuals with back pain that lingers more than a week or two should seek out appropriate treatment.