Have you been suffering from lower back pain that radiates into your buttocks and down your leg? You may be experiencing sciatica. At Bolduc Physical/Aquatic Therapy & Sports Medicine, our physical therapists are experts at treating sciatica and helping you find relief!
Sciatica, also referred to as “lumbar radiculopathy,” is a pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back. The sciatic nerve extends from the lumbar spine through the area of the buttocks and down the legs into the toes, making it the largest nerve in the human body.
When this nerve becomes irritated, pain or paresthesias ensue. Typically the symptoms are felt in the lumbar area, down the leg behind the thigh and into the lower leg and foot.
The pain can make it difficult to sleep, sit, bend or walk. The most common cause of sciatica is lumbar disc herniation, but it can be caused by an injury or severe disc degeneration, as well.
Contact Bolduc Physical/Aquatic Therapy & Sports Medicine today to set up an appointment with one of our experts. We’ll provide you with the relief you need to live life comfortably once again!
Schedule an AppointmentUnderstanding How to Treat Sciatica
Sciatica is diagnosed through a physical therapy evaluation that includes a thorough history and physical examination. Sometimes a CT scan or MRI may be used to confirm the physical therapist’s conclusions.
Once you are diagnosed with sciatica, a physical therapist will work with you to manage and relieve the condition. This includes:
- Reducing sciatica pain
- Improving motion
- Increasing strength
- Improving flexibility
- Educating you on how to sit, stand, bend, and twist
- Returning to normal activities
Targeted stretching and strengthening exercises are vital to treating sciatica pain. Our physical therapists will teach you an exercise program you can do at home to manage your pain.
Many exercises can help strengthen the muscles of the spinal column. Most of these exercises focus on improving your core. The core comprises muscles in the lower back, abdominals (stomach), gluteus (buttock), and hip muscles.
Strong core muscles can provide pain relief because they support the spine, keeping it in alignment and facilitating movements that extend or twist the spine with less chance of injury or damage.
Targeted stretches for sciatica are designed to target restrictions in the joints and muscles that contribute to your pain. The initial assessment will help your therapist establish what’s known as a “directional preference,” meaning what helps the patient feel and move better.
Your home program will focus on improving your pain and restoring your motion so you can resume the activities you enjoy!
How a Physical Therapist Can Help You
If you’re experiencing sciatica, contact one of our physical therapists immediately. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough physical examination and provide you with solutions that work based on their findings.
Your therapist will identify the best way to resolve your sciatica pain using directional preference and strengthening exercises. They will examine how you respond to specific movements and positions. These particular movements and positions become the starting point for treatment.
Next, your therapist will focus on areas where you struggle with weakness or develop compensations due to sciatica pain. These exercises will be targeting your core strength. In addition, your therapist will guide you through the postures that help alleviate your pain and minimize the risks of it returning.
We will spend one-on-one time with you on each visit, using hands-on techniques that get the joints, muscles, and nerves moving again. We will also design a comprehensive exercise and education program to get you back to comfortably doing what you want to do.
Call Today to Make an Appointment
Physical therapy can provide you with the treatment you need to alleviate your sciatica. If you are ready to get rid of your sciatica symptoms and enjoy your daily life free of pain, contact Bolduc Physical/Aquatic Therapy & Sports Medicine for relief.
We’ll provide you with an individualized treatment plan to help you get back to your everyday life as quickly as possible!
Schedule an AppointmentWant To Ease Sciatic Pain? Get Moving!
While regular physical therapy at Bolduc Physical/Aquatic Therapy & Sports Medicine is the best way to resolve your sciatica, several simple at-home exercises can help resolve your pain as you work through your treatment plan.
Our physical therapists will usually provide you with a personalized routine for your PT “homework.” The following are common exercises we might suggest and may help relieve pain between sessions. But make sure to check with your therapist before giving them a try!
Simple Exercises to Ease Sciatic Pain
Supine Piriformis Stretch
- Lie on your back with your knees bent, pointed toward the ceiling.
- Rest the ankle of your affected leg against your other thigh, forming a “four” shape with your legs.
- Gently pull your crossed leg sideways across your body until you feel the stretch in your affected glute.
- Hold for 10-30 seconds and repeat on the other side if you wish!
Cobra Stretch
- Lie down on your stomach with your hands on the floor in line with your shoulders and your elbows tucked into your body.
- Inhale and press into your palms to lift your head, chest, and shoulders off the ground. Don’t fully straighten your arms; make sure your chest stays lifted.
- Tighten your core muscles as you hold the stretch for 10-30 seconds.
- Gently lower back to the ground and repeat as needed.
Clamshell
- Lie on one side with your knees slightly bent and your head resting on your bottom arm. You can press your top arm into the ground in front of you for support.
- Engage your core to help with stability.
- Keeping the feet together, gently lift your top knee so that your bent legs resemble the open mouth of a clam.
- Keep your torso still so you don’t roll backward.
- Hold for 5-10 seconds, then lower slowly. Complete as many clamshells as you’d like, but don’t forget to roll over and do the other side, too!
Our Team Is Ready To Help
“After five months of rehabilitation for my chronic illness, I can honestly say that working with Bryan K. has been one of the biggest blessings in my recovery. He is truly a hidden gem. In the past three years, I’ve tried countless treatments but no one has helped me the way he has.
What sets him apart is his incredible creativity, passion, and ability to think outside the box. Every session was individualized. He listened, paid attention to how my body responded, and adjusted my treatment to meet me where I was each day rather than forcing me through a standard protocol. He always respected my limits while gently challenging me in the ways I needed most.
His knowledge, compassion, and dedication are evident in everything he does. For the first time in years, I felt like someone truly understood what my body needed instead of treating me like just another patient. Because of his care, I made progress that I honestly didn’t think was possible.
If you’re looking for someone who is genuinely invested in helping you heal, look no further. He is one of those rare healthcare professionals who changes lives, and I can’t recommend him highly enough. Thank you for giving me hope, helping me regain function, and reminding me that healing is possible.”
— C.A.
Jamie Paige
Office Manager / Billing Specialist
Jamie graduated in 2016 from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelors Degree in Health Administration and a Minor in Business Administration. She continued her education by taking a course in medical billing, where she got Certified as a Medical Billing Specialist.
She is an animal lover. She enjoys taking her dog, Remi (a chocolate lab) to the dog park, beach and on runs to keep them both active.
View All Staff →You Don’t Need a Doctor’s Permission Slip to Start Feeling Better
Not everyone knows this, but if you’re dealing with pain or an injury—new, old, or “I’ve-had-this-forever”—you can go straight to a physical therapist. Yep, in all 50 states! That means you can book an appointment with one of our amazing therapists and get help sooner rather than later.
This magical little thing is called Direct Access. In simple terms? It means you can see a physical therapist when you want, without first visiting a physician or medical provider. Physical therapists are trained to assess and treat injuries on their own, and they do it every day.
Get the Most Out of Your Insurance Deductible
Many patients don’t realize that physical therapy is a covered benefit under most insurance plans—and that your visits often count toward your annual deductible. If you’ve already met your deductible for the year, now is one of the best times to schedule the care you’ve been putting off.
Once your deductible resets at the start of a new plan year, your out-of-pocket costs may go back up. If you’re dealing with nagging pain, a recent injury, or unfinished rehab, don’t wait until it’s too late.
Schedule an AppointmentPT visits often count toward your deductible
We verify your benefits before your first visit
Unused deductible dollars don’t carry over
Recovery is more than therapy—it’s a partnership
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 lbs), peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup canned coconut milk or heavy cream
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pumpkin seeds or a swirl of cream, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss the cubed squash with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and lightly caramelized.
- While the squash roasts, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot, and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the roasted squash, broth, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Using an immersion blender (or working in batches with a countertop blender), puree the soup until smooth.
- Stir in the coconut milk or cream, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with pumpkin seeds or a swirl of cream, if desired. Enjoy warm!
