Sciatica and Physical Therapy

If you have sciatica and physical therapy is recommended this is what you can expect.

The physical therapist should take a thorough history and examine you to make sure you really do have sciatica. Most people (95%) have simple lower back pain not sciatic back pain.

Advertisement - Article Continues Below

Your physical therapist should examine your neurology.

  • Reflexes
  • Sensation
  • Power

The examination may also include a test called the Straight Leg Raise. This is a pretty reliable test for ruling OUT a sciatic nerve problem.Your physical therapist will lift your leg up and pull your ankle toward your nose.

If the ankle movement changes your pain you may have sciatica.

If the test is positive it does not mean that you definitely do have a sciatic nerve problem. However, if it is negative it’s pretty likely that you don’t have an irritated nerve.

Sciatic Nerve Test - Straight Leg Raise

sciatic nerve test

Do you share one of the 7 most common lower back pain worries?

I often get letters from my readers asking exactly the same questions that my patients ask. Many others share the same worries as you. In this free 7 part e-course I take one question at a time and explain the answers in clear, straightforward language.  I hope knowing that you're not alone and having reliable information will help you manage your back pain.
You can sign up for the free lower back pain answers e-course at this page.

Following an examination your physiotherapist should be able to give you an idea which one of your nerve roots is being irritated by using the dermatome chart below.

Dermatome Chart

sciatica and physical therapy dermatome chart

If your sciatica is caused by a disc bulge there is not really a lot anyone can do to 'un-bulge' it. The main point of physical therapy is to help you manage your pain and offer advice on sciatica exercises and helping you to keep active. Most disc bulges resolve in their own time, some remain a problem and need to be surgically managed.

Sciatica and Lower Back Pain Hub

Sciatica Home Treatment

From Sciatica and Physical Therapy back to Lower Back Pain Toolkit Home Page

 

 

Custom Search

 

Share |

 

Don't Let Back Pain Stop You Living a Normal Life
back pain action guide

The Back Pain Action Guide is a six step programme that shows you how you can keep living a normal life and stop worrying about your back pain.

Click on the image of the book to learn more about what's inside.