Symptoms and treatment of sciatica in Havelock, NC

Sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain that affects many Americans. It can occur as a temporary condition or a long-lasting form of pain. Either way, sciatica is painful and limits the range of motion in your lower back and legs. 

Symptoms of sciatica

One of the most common telltale signs of sciatica is a burning, shooting pain in your lower back that spreads into one or both or your legs. Additional symptoms include:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in the lower back and legs
• Change in posture

Treatment for sciatica

Treatments for sciatica vary depending on the severity and cause of your sciatic nerve pain. Some people need medications. Others may need surgery. However, many can reduce their sciatica pain with the following: 

• Physical therapy — Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in natural treatments like exercises, stretches and hands-on therapy. These treatments help improve strength and flexibility in your lower back, abdomen and leg muscles to help reduce and prevent sciatica pain.
• Quitting smoking — Smoking can restrict your blood flow, which keeps the muscles tendons, ligaments and other structures in your lower back from receiving the oxygen and nutrients they need. This can impact their ability to perform correctly and support the spine, which can contribute to the development of sciatica.
• Living an active lifestyle — Living a sedentary lifestyle causes your muscles to become weak and tense. This increases pressure in your lower back that can cause sciatica.

  Introduce more physical activity into your daily routine. If you have a job that requires you to sit for long periods of time, make sure you take frequent breaks to move around and stretch. 

Visit Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy in Havelock, NC, for sciatica treatment

Do you have pain in your lower back and legs that may be related to sciatica? It may be time to talk to one of our physical therapists at Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy in Havelock, North Carolina, about your treatment options. Contact our team today for more information about treating sciatica or to schedule an initial appointment.