What sciatica really is
Sciatica is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a name for pain that follows the sciatic nerve, the long nerve that runs from your low back, through your buttock and down the back of each leg.
When something irritates or presses on that nerve, you feel it. Often the cause is a disc in the low back, tight muscles deep in the hip, or narrowing around the spine as we get older. The pain can be sharp, burning or electric. Some people feel tingling in the foot. Others feel a dull ache that just will not quit.
It usually shows up on one side. And it loves to flare when you sit for a long time, bend to tie your shoes or cough. If your pain stays in your back and does not travel down the leg, our back pain page may fit you better.
How Thrive may help calm things down
Our first step is physical therapy. Your therapist works to figure out which movements make your leg pain better and which make it worse. That is gold. It tells you what to do more of and what to back off from for now.
From there, many people find relief with gentle movements that take pressure off the nerve, core and hip strengthening so your back is better supported, and simple changes to how you sit, sleep and lift.
Spinal decompression is a service many of our patients ask about. It gently stretches the low back while you lie comfortably on a table, and some people with disc related leg pain find it helpful. We offer options for the low back and the neck. Deep tissue massage may help if tight glute and hip muscles are part of the picture. Your provider will tell you if any of these are right for you.
- Movement testing to find what eases your leg pain
- Exercises that help you move without flaring the nerve
- Strength work for your core, hips and legs
- Hands on care for tight muscles in the back and hip
- Spinal decompression when your provider thinks it fits
What happens at your first visit
You start with a physical therapy evaluation. Your therapist asks where the pain goes, what sets it off and what calms it. They will ask about sleep, work and how long you can sit or walk before it kicks in.
Then they check how you bend, how your legs feel and how strong they are. You may be asked to lie on a padded treatment table so they can test how the nerve responds. By the end you will know what they found, what the plan is, and a few things you can start doing at home tonight.
Red flags: see a doctor first
Most sciatica is painful but not dangerous. A few signs mean you should get medical care right away, before physical therapy.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or inner thighs
- Numbness or weakness that is spreading or getting worse fast
- Your foot drops or drags when you walk
- Fever along with back pain
- Back pain after a fall, car crash or other major trauma
- Severe pain with no clear reason that does not ease with rest
Insurance and how to book
We accept all major insurance plans and we verify your benefits for you before your first visit. Physical therapy through insurance usually needs a doctor's prescription or referral. Your doctor can fax it, along with any X-ray or MRI reports, to (313) 921-6009. Our insurance page walks you through it.
If you would rather pay on your own, a physical therapy evaluation and treatment visit is a $70 investment, and spinal decompression is a $50 investment per session.
Tired of the hot wire down your leg? Tap the Book button to choose a time, or call or text (313) 429-9079.
