Sciatica can be a real pain—literally. That sharp, shooting pain along the back and legs can make even the simplest tasks impossible. But there’s hope! At Turning Point Physiotherapy, we help you manage sciatica back pain and get back to living without constant discomfort. You can find relief from sciatica and prevent future flare-ups through various back pain physiotherapy in Edmonton.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain originating from the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back to the hip and buttocks. The pain usually affects one side of the body and varies from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation. It often radiates from the lower back to the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes extending to the foot.
Four Techniques For Sciatica Pain Relief
We offer a few effective techniques for sciatica pain relief. The methods below target pain at its source, improving mobility and promoting long-term recovery through physiotherapy in Edmonton.
1. Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is vital in relieving lower back and hip tension. Our physiotherapists use hands-on techniques, such as joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage, to target the affected areas. Joint mobilization involves gentle movements of the joints in your lower back and hips to improve range of motion and reduce stiffness. By applying light pressure, we help you restore mobility while reducing pain.
Soft tissue massage relieves tightness in the muscles surrounding the lower back, hips, and glutes, where tension often builds up and compresses the sciatic nerve. Using circular motions, kneading, and consistent pressure, we relax the muscles and enhance blood flow, which relieves the pressure on the sciatic nerve and improves your mobility.
2. Shockwave Therapy for Sciatica
Shockwave therapy might sound intense, but it’s a non-invasive and highly effective treatment for sciatica pain. This therapy uses high-energy sound waves to target areas of pain and promote healing. Shockwave therapy targets inflammation; the sound waves help break up inflammation around the sciatic nerve, encouraging your body’s natural healing processes. It also promotes blood flow by increasing circulation to the area, helping to deliver nutrients and oxygen that support tissue repair.
Over time, shockwave therapy helps reduce chronic pain by promoting tissue regeneration and decreasing tension in muscles and tendons. Our physiotherapists use a handheld device to deliver the shockwaves directly to the problem area during a session. The treatment typically lasts 15–30 minutes, and most patients experience some level of relief after just a few sessions.
Shockwave therapy offers a quicker recovery and long-term pain relief without the need for surgery or medication. It’s especially beneficial if your sciatica is related to chronic muscle tension or inflammation.
3. Dry Needling for Sciatica Relief
Another highly effective treatment we offer is dry needling. While it may seem similar to acupuncture, dry needling relieves muscle pain and tension associated with sciatica. Dry needling releases muscle knots; thin needles are inserted into trigger points—tight, painful spots in your muscles. These trigger points often contribute to sciatic nerve compression. The needles also help reset pain pathways and reduce the intensity of pain signals. Releasing the tension in the surrounding muscles it could help improve your range of motion and reduce sciatic nerve irritation.
When the needle is inserted, you might feel a slight prick, followed by a twitching sensation in the muscle. This reaction helps relax the muscles, providing almost immediate relief. Most people notice a reduction in pain and muscle tightness after just a few sessions. Dry needling targets the underlying muscle issues that often exacerbate sciatica. By releasing tension, the sciatic nerve has more space to function correctly, reducing pain and discomfort.
4. Therapeutic Exercises for Sciatica
After addressing the immediate pain, one of the most important aspects of physiotherapy for sciatica is strengthening and stretching through therapeutic exercises. We create a customized exercise plan that helps stabilize your spine, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles that support your lower back and hips.
Critical exercise we incorporate include
- McKenzie Exercises, which are designed to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and help re-align the spine; the Piriformis Stretch, which targets the piriformis muscle that can sometimes irritate the sciatic nerve
Therapeutic exercises help alleviate pain and prevent future sciatica episodes by building strength, improving flexibility, and correcting posture issues.
Relief from Sciatica at Turning Point Physiotherapy
Sciatica doesn’t have to control your life. You can find relief and reclaim your active lifestyle with the right combination of physiotherapy in Edmonton. At Turning Point Physiotherapy, we work closely with you to develop a plan that targets your backache and helps you recover safely and effectively. If you’re struggling with sciatica, don’t wait for the pain to worsen. Reach out to us today, and let’s start working together on your path to recovery.
Ready to Take the Next Step? Contact Turning Point Physiotherapy to schedule a consultation and see how our proven techniques can help relieve your sciatica pain.
