Sciatica Treatment in El Paso
Have you ever experienced pain in the back of your thighs or calves originating from the hip or lower back? If so, you may have sciatica. Approximately 10% of people in the United States experience pain in the lower spine per year. While sciatica can heal independently with rest and time, leaving it untreated can worsen the condition, leading to surgery in severe cases.
Fortunately, P3 Physical Therapy has worked with countless back pain patients over the years, many of whom have been able to find relief from their sciatica pain. We offer quality sciatica treatment options to our El Paso patients. Contact us online or call (915) 444-5200 to start your treatment today!
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica, also called lumbar radiculopathy, is a pain that originates along your sciatic nerve, located along the buttocks down each leg. Generally, the pain is felt only on one side of the body and is caused by nerve compression or irritation. Pain comes on from sudden movement after an accident or can develop gradually over time due to a lack of movement or from bad posture. Our sciatica treatment in El Paso can help reduce pain and compression of the affected nerves.
Common Symptoms
- A mild or sharp, burning pain
- Jolts or electric shocks
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot
- One-sided pain
- Weakness when bending the knee
- Difficulty bending forward to backward
- Inability to walk on your toes
- Urinary or fecal incontinence (in severe cases)
The 4 Types of Sciatica
Acute Sciatica
This form of sciatica is minor. It can be caused by sudden nerve irritation due to pitching, compression, or both. Patients with acute sciatica typically experience a burning or shooting sensation throughout the lower back. Activities such as walking or sitting can worsen the symptoms. However, the pain commonly lasts for 1 to 2 weeks.
Chronic Sciatica
Like chronic pain, this form of sciatica can last months or years and occur intermittently, and sciatica treatment in El Paso will likely be required. If you’ve had injuries, infections, spinal misalignment issues, or inflammatory conditions, the pain can worsen.
Bilateral Sciatica
Sciatica normally affects only one leg. However, in rare cases, it can affect both legs. Bilateral sciatica is typically a result of multiple herniated discs or disc degeneration. The pain may be more severe in one leg than the other, but both feel a sense of weakness or numbness.
Alternative Sciatica
Alternative sciatica is another rare type that causes pain in both legs that requires El Paso sciatica treatment. The difference is that it affects one leg at a time. It can result from degenerative problems like sacroiliac arthritis.
The Best Treatment for Sciatica Nerves
While you may think resting can help relieve lower back pain, it does the opposite. Learning to strengthen and mobilize the tissues and muscles along the sciatic nerve is key.
At P3 Physical Therapy, we believe in creating a tailored approach to treating sciatic pain. Our physical therapists may combine strengthening exercises with manual therapy, massaging, dry needling, corrective exercises, joint mobilization, and back pain education in our sciatica treatment to relieve and prevent pain in the nerves, muscles, and joints.
What to do When Sciatica Pain Worsens
If pain persists, it’s time to schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists to receive professional El Paso sciatica treatment.
While waiting to be seen, avoid bed rest, even if moving around causes mild pain. Sitting or lying down for extended periods of time can worsen the sciatica pain.
Make an appointment with a licensed Physical Therapist, who is the right person to help you with your pain. With the correct treatments and exercises, your pain can go away and become manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will sciatic nerve pain ever go away?
Sciatica nerve pain often goes away within four to six weeks. However, the process can be sped up with the help of professional medical treatment. In several cases, it can take months. If you’re experiencing Chronic Sciatica, the pain may return over time.
Can I prevent sciatica?
Yes. Maintain a healthy weight to lessen the stress on the lower back, eat a healthy diet, and incorporate regular exercise, such as walking or cycling. If you sit for extended periods of time, ensure you maintain good posture by investing in lower back support equipment or using a small pillow or towel to support your back and keep your hips and legs level. Also, use a standing desk for periods of time to minimize the stress on your lower back by sitting all day.
Find Back Pain Relief in El Paso
Tired of living in pain? You’ve come to the right place. P3 Physical Therapy is the leading physical therapy clinic for chronic pain and sciatica treatment in El Paso. Call (915) 444-5200 to find relief today!
