Back Pain & Sciatica Relief

What’s Causing Your Back Pain?

The American Physical Therapy Association states that back pain is the most commonly experienced form of pain for Americans. In fact, one in every four Americans has sustained some sort of back pain in the past three months. Back pain commonly results from a muscle strain or injury; however, sometimes the back pain you’re experiencing is the result of sciatica.

Sciatica is a common and very specific type of back pain. People who experience sciatica typically report a painful sensation in the lower back, legs, or buttocks, as it is a condition that develops from issues surrounding the nerves.

Whether you’re experiencing general back pain or sciatica, our Bronx physical therapy practice can help. Contact Pelham Physical Medicine today at 718-823-3900 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed physical therapists and find the best treatment plan for back pain relief!

Understanding the difference between back pain and sciatica:

Back pain

There are a large number of conditions that can result in back pain. For example, poor posture, car accidents, and sports-related injuries are just a few of the ways that someone may develop back pain.

The pain you experience may either be acute or chronic, depending on what caused your back in the first place. Acute pain means that it lasts for a short time and is usually severe. Chronic pain means that it lasts generally three months or longer and it can either cause dull or severe persistent pain. The pain you experience is typically either rooted in your back muscles or the bones in your spine.

Sciatica

Sciatica, medically referred to as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a bit different from general back pain. It can be extremely uncomfortable, but the good news is that it is fairly easy to diagnose. Sciatica is caused by a “pinch” or additional damage to the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the human body. It begins at the lower back, splits at the base of the spine, and extends down the buttocks, legs, and feet. The sensation of sciatica can be described as “stinging,” “burning,” or “shooting” down the lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet.

Why do I have back pain or sciatica?

Injury is the most common cause of back pain. This can happen in one of two ways: 1) an instant, sudden trauma, such as a car accident, or 2) repetitive use that puts excessive stress on the back over time, such as bending down several times throughout the week to pick up boxes. It is also possible for back pain to develop from certain underlying conditions, such as a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.

Sciatic typically affects people between the ages of 30-50, and it can develop for a number of reasons. Certain conditions can lead to sciatica, such as bone spurs, arthritis, or any injury that affects the sciatic nerve. Injuries can also lead to sciatica, such as herniated discs, harsh falls, sports-related collisions, or anything that occurs gradually over time through overuse, repetition, or general “wear and tear.”

Find back pain relief with Pelham Physical Medicine:

If you have been living with back pain or sciatica, don’t hesitate to contact Pelham Physical Medicine for safe and effective treatment options. Our highly-trained Bronx physical therapists will design an individualized treatment plan just for you. In order to provide you with immediate pain relief, you may be prescribed any combination of ice and heat therapies, manual therapy, posture improvement, targeted stretches, and exercises, or any other treatment that our physical therapist deems fit.

As you improve throughout your treatment program, your exercises and stretches will become more intense over time. This is done in order to improve your strength and range of motion. Those diagnosed with sciatica will also likely be prescribed specific leg stretches, in order to loosen up the sciatic nerve.

At Pelham Physical Medicine, our main goals are to help you relieve your pain, improve your strength, and reach your optimum levels of function. Get back pain relief with physical therapy. If your back pain or sciatica symptoms have been limiting your daily life, contact us today at Bronx, NY! We will help you reach your physical goals so you can get back to living your daily life, free from back pain or sciatica discomfort.