Sudden sciatic and lower back pain can be debilitating and disrupt one’s lifestyle and productivity at work. Those in pain may wonder: “Does physical therapy help with sciatica pain?”
Physical therapy is an effective treatment option, which is why work safety programs offer it to help prevent and manage sciatica in the workplace. These methods offer pain relief and enhanced mobility to individuals who struggle to navigate the workday comfortably.
Workplaces should consider partnering with an injury prevention and management company to provide physical rehabilitation to employees experiencing sciatic pain, particularly when directly related to their work environment. By incorporating physical therapy, employees can experience improved wellness, and workplaces can enhance productivity and reduce the number of days employees take off due to injury and chronic pain.
What Is Sciatica, and What Causes It?
Before answering the question, “Does physical therapy help with sciatica pain?” It’s essential to understand this condition and how it’s triggered in various workplace environments.
Sciatica is a condition affecting the longest single nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve allows for motor function in the hip abductors and the front of the lower leg, as well as some of the muscles in the foot. When the nerve is inflamed, it causes significant pain.
Typically, inflammation arises from pressure on the nerve for various reasons, including a slipped disc, muscle spasms, injury, or degenerative diseases.
The resulting pain can affect the lower back, thighs, buttocks, knees, and calves. It may feel like a sharp, shocking pain or a dull ache, and numbness or tingling is also common. Some patients may experience divisions of symptoms, such as pain in one leg accompanied by numbness in the other.
What Else Causes This Nerve Compression in a Workplace?
In addition to injury and disk changes, the sciatic nerve can be compressed by lifestyle factors. In the workplace, sciatica may be caused by a sedentary daily routine, as individuals who spend most of their day sitting at a desk are more likely to develop it than those who are physically active. For example, truck drivers are prone to the condition because of the extended periods they spend in a seated position.
However, too much physical exertion throughout the workday can also backfire. Repetitive twisting motions, carrying heavy loads, and prolonged standing can all contribute to the development of sciatica. Workplaces need to take preventative measures against either of these work style extremes and offer supportive resources such as physical therapy to manage the condition if it arises.
How Does Physical Therapy Help With Sciatica Pain?
While many people’s first reaction to being in pain is to rest, this can be counterproductive with sciatica. While it is important to avoid strenuous repetitive motions, gentle movement such as stretching exercises can help alleviate the pain and reduce nerve compression. A physical therapist will assist sciatic patients with their daily posture and walk them through stretching routines for mobility improvement.
These rehabilitation exercises may include:
- Bending forward and backward (extension and flexion exercises) to slowly encourage motion in the spine
- Exercises for muscle strengthening that target the abdomen, lower back, and legs
- Nerve stretching exercises called “nerve glides” to reduce pain
- Gait correction and posture adjustments to improve spinal alignment
- Joint mobilization or manual manipulation of the leg, hips, and back to contribute to the joints’ range of motion and strength
These techniques, along with lifestyle modifications and ergonomics improvements in the workplace, can relieve sciatica pain and prevent relapse. Healthy workplace practices may be especially important for older employees or those in physically demanding positions.
Consult WorkSafe To Build a Healthier Workplace
By offering physical therapy for injured workers, employers can foster health and wellness in their employees while encouraging productivity. Since both sedentary and physically demanding jobs can result in sciatica, most workplaces benefit from preventing and effectively managing these injuries.
Choose WorkSafe to create a safer working environment. Our expert team offers solutions tailored to your workforce’s specific needs, including physical therapy. Now that you understand the answer to ”Does physical therapy help with sciatica pain?” You can incorporate these methods to effectively target pain and increase mobility. A healthier, happier workforce is more productive and leads to improved employee retention and output rates.
Start improving the health and safety of your workforce by joining WorkSafe in creating sustainable changes that prevent injury and manage existing pain. Contact us online or call 316-262-8800 to get started with our services today.