Sciatica

Do you have lower back pain that radiates into your leg? You may have sciatica, a common pain condition. At their office in Downtown Washington, DC, the Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team provides comprehensive care for sciatica, easing your pain and improving your quality of life. To get relief from your sciatica, call the office or schedule an in-office or telehealth appointment online today.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a pain condition that occurs from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. 

The sciatic nerve is a sensory and motor nerve that runs from your lumbar spine into your hips and buttocks and down your legs on both sides of your body. Five spinal nerves that exit from your lumbar and sacral spine join to form the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is a common pain condition that most often occurs from compression or irritation of one of these spinal nerves from a bulging or herniated disc, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica symptoms vary. However, pain that radiates from the lower back to the leg is the telltale symptom. The pain you feel may be dull and achy, burning, or sharp and severe. In many cases, your leg pain may be worse than your back pain.

Your pain may be constant, or come and go. Coughing or sneezing can cause jolts of pain.

Though sciatica may resolve on its own with at-home care, the team at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation can help if your pain is severe or an ongoing problem.

What happens during a sciatica evaluation?

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team performs a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about sciatica so they fully understand your condition and can develop the most effective treatment plan.

Your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms and when they started. They also ask about the activities that worsen your pain or make it better.

The team reviews your daily routine and exercise habits and performs a functional exam, assessing the structure, function, and movement of your body.

How is sciatica treated?

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team customizes your sciatica treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms, your medical history, and your current fitness level.

Your sciatica treatment plan may include:

Before making any specific recommendations, your provider spends time talking to you about your sciatica and the underlying cause. Then they review your treatment options and how they can ease your pain.

When at-home care fails to ease your sciatica, call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, or schedule an appointment online today.