Suffering Sciatica Treatment in Grange | Chronic Low Back Pain Treatment - Grange Physiotherapy

Suffering Sciatica?

Sciatica pain comes from the large sciatic nerve which passes down through the buttocks, down the back of the thigh and then divides into other nerves in the low leg.  There are many reasons as to why this nerve becomes inflamed but it may originate from the lower back.  The sciatic nerve is formed in the mid to lower part of the back and comes out at various levels in the lower back.  If the back has been injured or has undue stress on it then swelling and inflammation may occur and then may then place stress on the sciatic nerve leading to what many people called a pinched nerve.  This can cause severe pain in the back and down the leg/s and pain can be quite debilitating.

It is certainly worth talking to your G.P about your concerns.   Physiotherapists are trained to treat these type of conditions. Ensure that a full history of your back pain is taken as well as an intense assessment of posture, bio-mechanics and movements.  A proper diagnosis cannot be given unless a full history and assessment has been done.   Scans may or may not be needed.  They are usually only needed if treatment has occurred without improvement.   Manipulation should not occur without a full assessment of the spine.

Advice on home management is vital to ensure minimization of pain and enhance recovery.   A regular home exercise regime with advice will encourage normal spinal movement and nerve function.   Grange Physiotherapy therapists treat and given  comprehensive home management.  This is progressed and adjusted with improvement of symptoms.  A written analysis of your diagnosis and treatment plan will be provided with recommendations.  This may include further tests or referral to other specialists.  You will be reassessed at each appointment so your progress is optimal.  Full assessments occur at regular intervals.  Should you need to start a supervised exercise program this will be suggested and implemented with your approval.  Our focus is your recovery to full function in combination with your goals.   While Sciatica may take some time to improve due to the sensitivity and healing ability of nerves, conservative treatment generally provides good results and surgery can usually be avoided.

Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain can be both painful and frustrating.  It is also very common.  Research indicates persistent low back pain is due to a range of factors including: poor disc hydration/health, stiff spinal segments, poor muscle control, degeneration of the spine, nerve compression and is influenced by psychosocial issues.  This may lead to not enough or too much movement between the vertebrae segments thus causing pain.  If this is the case then specific exercises aimed at improving normal spinal range and function will improve the back’s function and decrease pain.  These exercises involve both back muscles and abdominal muscles but play an entirely different role to the abdominal muscles we use with exercises such as sit-ups. In fact there is a theory that these type of exercises such as sit ups can actually cause an increase in chronic pain because the wrong type of muscles are being used and they are unable to stabilise and give the support necessary.  The muscles that stabilise the spine are the lower abdominal muscles, which include the transverse abdominus, and the internal oblique muscles.  These muscles can be felt in the lower tummy area just below the front hipbones felt through the lower tummy. The simplest way to exercise them is to try to gently pull in these muscles without tightening the upper abdominal muscles.  This type of exercise then becomes incorporated with activities of daily living so that it becomes an unconscious action involved in posture.

Before you start on an exercise program ensure you get a full assessment of your problem, as instability or weak muscles may not necessarily be the cause of your problem.  Your posture and spinal range needs to be assessed.  The lower abdominal muscles need to be tested  in specific positions to see how strong they are.  Finally you will probably need an individually planned exercise program incorporating both strength exercises and stretches.  On top of all that you need to stick with your exercise program as initially progress can be slow. The longer the problem has been, the slower the rehabilitation can be.  But persist.  With a good physiotherapist your pain can be managed in most cases without surgery.

At Grange Physiotherapy we specialise in low back pain and use a variety of techniques including Acupuncture, mobilisation and exercise to regain range of movement in the spine and strengthen the core muscles which support the spine. Our Clinic offers Clinical Pilates, Hydrotherapy, remedial massage therapy and gym classes to combat low Back pain with great results.