Sciatica — causes and when to seek physical therapy
Short answer: sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back down the leg, usually due to pressure on the sciatic nerve. A combination of manual therapy and spinal decompression often eases symptoms significantly, without surgery.
What causes sciatica
The most common cause is pressure on the sciatic nerve, caused by a disc herniation, spinal canal narrowing, or piriformis muscle tension.
When to seek physical therapy
If the pain lasts longer than a week, radiates below the knee, or comes with tingling or weakness, it's time for an assessment.
How therapy helps
Manual therapy releases tight muscles pressing on the nerve, while spinal decompression reduces the disc's pressure on the nerve root.
The difference between sciatica and ordinary back pain
Ordinary back pain usually stays localized to the lower back, while sciatica characteristically follows a clear path down the leg, often all the way to the foot, sometimes with tingling or a feeling of weakness.
Don't wait for the pain to become chronic.
