Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist to help ease your sciatica and restore motion. Physical therapy includes passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help relax your body and yourself. They also prepare your body for therapeutic exercise, which is the active part of physical therapy.
Your physical therapist can give you passive treatments such as:
Deep Tissue Massage: This technique targets chronic muscle tension that could be pressing on the sciatic nerve or nerve root related. The therapist uses direct pressure and friction to try and release the tension in the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles).
Hot and Cold Therapies: Using heat, the therapist tries to get more blood to the target area because an increased blood flow brings more oxygen and nutrients to the area. For example, a hot water bottle placed in the piriformis muscle can help to reduce muscle spasms that may be causing your sciatica. Cold therapy slows circulation, helping to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms and pain. Your physical therapist will alternate between hot and cold therapy.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): You could even use this at home, if your therapist thinks it’s necessary. A machine that stimulates muscles through variables (but safe) the intensity of electric current. TENS helps reduce muscle spasms, and can increase your body’s production of endorphins, natural painkillers your. TENS team physical therapist uses is greater than the “home” machine use. However, large or small, a TENS unit can be a useful therapy.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound sends sound waves deep into the muscle tissue and its creates a gentle heat that improves circulation and helps speed healing. Increased circulation helps reduce muscle spasms, cramps, swelling, stiffness and pain.
In the active part of physical therapy, your therapist will teach several exercises. Your physical therapy program is individualized, taking into account their health and their history. You can include aerobic conditioning, strengthening exercises, and movements to increase flexibility and range of motion.
If necessary, you learn to correct your posture and incorporate ergonomic principles in their daily activities.
