Archive for the ‘Sciatica Back Pain’ Category

Relieve Sciatic Pain Using Physical Therapy

Sciatic nerve pain causes an unpleasant feeling down the back of the leg right down to the heel.  The origin of this discomfort begins in ones buttock and usually it’s the result of a particular muscle pressing upon that hard-to-reach nerve, the sciatic nerve.  By means of physical therapy methods, your physician can assist you reduce this discomfort by using a combination of education and learning, heat as well as ice packs, and proper stretching.

1.  Education

Usually the starting point for physical therapy for sciatica consists of education. It may be a very good strategy to receive some fundamental training on exactly where the sciatic pain originates from. Very simply, your sciatic nerve can be found deep within the buttocks near to the small of the back on each side. Very often this pain originates from pressure from the piriformis muscle but quite often there may be other triggers of sciatic nerve pain like for instance degenerative discs.

For additional information, make sure you ask your medical professional exactly what he or she thinks and get him to demonstrate with a diagram so that you get a better knowledge of how you can basically prevent the discomfort.

2.  Heat and Ice

There are other ways to relieve sciatic nerve pain. For example, using heat can assist in loosening the piriformis muscle and allow it to stretch more easily, whereas ice applications will numb chronic pain.

3.  Ultra Sound

Ultra-sound for pain relief is often recommended.

This uses sound waves to get rid of scarring as a result of damaged muscles. The sound waves are directed by using a crystal within a hand held piece of equipment. The crystal vibrates and moves via a specific gel which in turn directs the vibrations to your affected muscle tissues.

4.  Stretching

If your body is capable, your physician may advise a number of stretching techniques to help relieve your sciatic nerve pain. As I said before, the piriformis muscle may press on the sciatic nerve.

One particular stretching exercise which could reduce this pressure can in fact be carried out in your chair. You begin by placing the left ankle atop the right knee. Then you put one arm through the hole you’ve made between the legs and the other arm round the outside of the right leg. Interlace your hands and pull-up on your thigh while you bend over just a little. You will sense a bit of a pull or burn heavy within your left buttock. Maintain this position for approximately one minute then swap legs.