STRUGGLING WITH BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA?

Did you know that over 80% of people across the world will suffer an episode of back pain at some
point in their lifetime? If you are suffering from back pain or sciatica, you know how hindering it can be. With chronic back pain, radiating leg pain, or stinging sensations across the sciatic nerve, it can be difficult to live your life to the fullest. If you find yourself in pain when bending down, standing up, or lifting objects, it’s time to see a physical therapist. At Reddy Care, we are fully equipped to treat any
back pain you may be experiencing.

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA:
It can be difficult sometimes to determine the differences between general back pain and sciatica. Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that is caused by a compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Your sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body – it is approximately 2 centimeters wide, extending all the way down your back, your buttocks, underneath the piriformis muscle, and to the backs of your legs and your feet.

It is made up of several nerves that exit your lower back from the lumbar and sacral levels (L4- S3), transmitting sensation and muscle control. Common culprits of sciatica development include
weakness in the gluteal muscles or tightness in the piriformis muscle, as they can compress and irritate the sciatic nerve.

COMMON SCIATICA SYMPTOMS:
The sciatica symptoms reported from patients tend to vary. Some may experience a deep ache in the
buttocks, while others experience a severe pain radiating down one of their legs. It is also possible to
feel a tingling or numbness in the back of the leg, calf, or foot. If left too long without proper treatment, irritation can become more severe and affect the strength of your leg muscles.

COMMON SCIATICA TREATMENT:
The safest, easiest, and most effective mode of sciatica treatment is through physical therapy. Physical
therapy examines the root cause of pressure on the nerve and works to quickly alleviate that pressure.
Our licensed physical therapists will analyze the movements of the muscles surrounding the sciatic
nerve, in addition to the back and hip joints. They will design an individualized treatment plan based on the specific needs of each patient, in order to strengthen the affected muscles, improve joint
flexibility, and prevent problems from occurring again in the future.  

Reddy Care Great Neck (Great Neck Physical Therapy): 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Farmingdale (Farmingdale Physical Therapy): 516-420-2900
North Shore Towers: 718-224-8480
Woodbury Physical Therapy: 516-367-1111
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030
*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.