Sciatica is a common back issue, and it’s the result of the sciatic nerve roots in the lower back being pinched. This can cause many symptoms, including pain, numbness and difficulty moving the legs and feet. This condition often responds well to physical therapy. In fact, there are two types of physical therapy for sciatica that are commonly used in El Paso, Texas.
1. Manual therapy
A type of physical therapy used for sciatica treatment by therapists in El Paso is manual therapy. This form of therapy is actually a broader category of therapy, and it contains many therapy options that can help treat your sciatica. The key link between all manual therapy methods is that the therapist will use his or her hands to move or manipulate your body in some way.
Joint mobilization is a manual therapy that can help treat sciatica. This therapy allows the therapist to manipulate the joints in the back called facet joints. Using joint mobilization, these joints can be treated for issues that may be causing sciatic nerve pinching. Muscle energy techniques are another manual therapy that may be used in sciatica treatment. This is because it’s designed to help lengthen muscles and improve joint mobility.
2. Strengthening exercises for the core
Another physical therapy method that is commonly used to treat sciatica is strengthening exercises, and these exercises tend to target the core. Your core are the muscles of your torso that help stabilize and support the spine. The core includes many muscles, and weaknesses in these muscles can cause the vertebrae to shift. This shifting may lead to pinching of the sciatic nerves.
Using specific strengthening exercises, a physical therapist can help reduce core muscle weakness. In fact, these exercises can be used to target many important core muscles. For instance, certain exercises can improve abdominal muscle strength. Others are intended to help strengthen back muscles. Even core muscles in the pelvic floor can be targeted, and strengthening these core muscles can benefit sciatica patients in many ways.
Border Therapy Services has an El Paso, TX, clinic that offers effective physical therapy for sciatica
If you live in the Trawood Drive area of El Paso, Border Therapy Services has a clinic near you. Our team has experience treating many injuries and medical conditions, and this includes providing treatment for sciatica. We can build you a personalized treatment plan, and this plan will be designed to offer benefits such as:
- Decreased pain
- Increased core strength
- Reduced back muscle tension
- Shorter recovery time
Are you ready to take the next step to treat your sciatica? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.