Can Physios help sciatica or is time the best healer?

Lekrub

So I found out I have sciatica and have 1 physio session down.

I'm thinking will I fair the same as doing some some simple home stretches at taking it easy.

Anyone have experience of doing a series of physio sessions and being no better for it?

Wanderer78

Lekrub wrote: »

So I found out I have sciatica and have 1 physio session down.

I'm thinking will I fair the same as doing some some simple home stretches at taking it easy.

Anyone have experience of doing a series of physio sessions and being no better for it?

to answer your question, yes ive done long term physio but had little or no positive results, but dont give up on it, it might work for you. i have not had sciatica though, but other back related issues. ask your physio if foam rolling would help your situation, id highly recommend it, been doing it a couple of years, and i really like it, and i think it does help me. also ask your physio if exercises such as Pilates and yoga would help you, been doing Pilates a couple of months and i really like it, havent tried yoga yet but i want to.

Lekrub

Wanderer78 wrote: »

to answer your question, yes ive done long term physio but had little or no positive results, but dont give up on it, it might work for you. i have not had sciatica though, but other back related issues. ask your physio if foam rolling would help your situation, id highly recommend it, been doing it a couple of years, and i really like it, and i think it does help me. also ask your physio if exercises such as Pilates and yoga would help you, been doing Pilates a couple of months and i really like it, havent tried yoga yet but i want to.

Heard from others that basically all the above are very good for strengthening without too much impact. This was my very first time going to a physio and feel like I won't get value for money really when time + home work outs and the likes of foam roller for back will be the same.

I asked about exercise/ home stretches and was basically told do nothing untill next week. Kinda feel like I'm gonna be drained of some cash and then handed some home exercise anyway

Alf Veedersane

Go to a better physio.

One who will at least discuss how they intend to address the problem and what exercises will help, If there are any.

Lekrub

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Go to a better physio.

One who will at least discuss how they intend to address the problem and what exercises will help, If there are any.

My fear is that a physio can work on muscles etc, but what i read about a nerve is it just takes time. A scan was mentioned if nothing improves, so think I should just skip straight to that? Cost would be nearly the same now, unless go public that may be months?

Alf Veedersane

Lekrub wrote: »

My fear is that a physio can work on muscles etc, but what i read about a nerve is it just takes time. A scan was mentioned if nothing improves, so think I should just skip straight to that? Cost would be nearly the same now, unless go public that may be months?

Well, possibly.

But sciatica is the symptom. What is it that is causing the nerve issue? It's quite possible that its something a physio could address.

But maybe a GP can refer you for an MRI so whoever treats it then will have something to work off.

Rest and time may not necessarily heal it because it is very possible there is some sort of physiological issue thats resulting in the sciatica.

Lekrub

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Well, possibly.

But sciatica is the symptom. What is it that is causing the nerve issue? It's quite possible that its something a physio could address.

But maybe a GP can refer you for an MRI so whoever treats it then will have something to work off.

Rest and time may not necessarily heal it because it is very possible there is some sort of physiological issue thats resulting in the sciatica.

You're right maybe time and stretches won't fully do it. I think I might go to doctor route first, and if I end up back at the physio after a scan, then at least I know I'm on the right path. None is covered by insurance so I can't really do them all.

Spanish Eyes

I am no fitness guru or anything like it, but I saw Sciatica and I have suffered from this. It is awful.

Stretches really help me. On the floor on your back, bring your knees to your chest as far as possible a few times. it is not easy, but it really does work. And tipping your toes from a standing position. I hate taking painkillers anytime.

Wanderer78

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I am no fitness guru or anything like it, but I saw Sciatica and I have suffered from this. It is awful.

Stretches really help me. On the floor on your back, bring your knees to your chest as far as possible a few times. it is not easy, but it really does work. And tipping your toes from a standing position. I hate taking painkillers anytime.

i worked with a chap with sciatica, i didnt look fun

Spanish Eyes

Wanderer78 wrote: »

i worked with a chap with sciatica, i didnt look fun

It isn't fun by any stretch and unfortunately few people understand the pain of sciatica either.

But anyway, try what I said. If that doesn't work well then, physio is next in line I suppose. But despite being absolutely in agony sometimes, I haven't had to go to physio yet. Might have been easier for me, I try to sort myself out best I can.

beechwood55

I have had sciatica. It's the worst pain I have ever had over 3 weeks.
I had about 10 physio sessions. It was not just stretching though. They did manipulation (for want of a better word) of the disc that was pressing on the sciatic nerve - it was a couple of milimeters out of position and that was causing the pain.
I was able to claim back the cost of the physio on my health insurance though so that made it much more palatable cost wise.

LaLa2004

I've had an ongoing problem with sciatica for about 10 years. Physio gave short term relief as did stretching. I had an MRI as it was thought the sciatica was connected to my lower back pain. They found significant wear & tear between two discs in my lower back.
This was related to poor posture over many years.
I have gone to Pliates for two and a half years now. I have really built up my core. The Pilates teacher is super & doesn't push anyone. It is a gentle class but I can now try the harder exercises and attend regular Pilates classes.
I suppose what I am saying is that there is probably a reason for your sciatica & it may take time & patience to get to the root of it.

mel.b

I have had sciatica a couple of times and been to a few physios. One of those was excellent and she was really able to interpret the MRI results and consider the environmental factors to help take the pressure off the nerve. The nerve was constantly being irritated by being pressed on so it was never getting a time to settle down and the environmental things really made a difference, such as how I slept and side lying rather than sitting etc. I think these made more of a difference than the actual exercises.

calfmuscle

/www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/fitness/from-posture-to-pilates-dealing-with-the-root-causes-of-pain-1.3309779?mode=amp

I was going to reply to this but really too tired at the minute. Here is a nice article about pain etc. Stick with the physio and do what your told.

Marcus-Aurelius

Lekrub, first and foremost this is not a post to generate business for the profession but advice I would give a friend or family member as a chartered physiotherapist.

You need to continue with your physiotherapy until you deal with your pain and the dysfunction and reason behind your pain. Neural symptoms within the leg cause by a lumbar spine pathology, tend to last up to 12-15 weeks. This is with regular pain medication to reduce the inflammation around the nerve and deal with any compensation of muscle tightness/weakness into the glutes, piriformis and/or lower back, improve neural mobility and establish a better appreciation for lumbo-pelvic stability.

If you have had one session of physio, a clinically competent physio should have fully assessed you, making sure all neural components are as they should be, assesses the movement deficit/bias and formulate a structure treatment plan and home exercise programme,clearing your hip and SIJT too.

Degenerative changes are normal within the lumbar spine and an MRI scan is not warranted unless there is no improvement with conservative treatment and meds. Hold off on the scan, people whom are scanned have poorly clinical outcomes that those whom go without. This is of course once there is nothing sinister or suspicious on-going.

On average, a neural case such as this can take up to 3months+ of physio to deal with your pain and build control and proprioceptive awareness of muscles and means of moving. This may seen a lot but the average length of physiotherapy in EU countries is an awful lot more than in Ireland.
Once you settle your pain, you have a 50% chance of becoming recurrent again in next 6 months.

Go to your physio, stick with the process, and use it as an opportunity to improve yourself and prevent symptoms returning.

mad m

I have a regular physio I use. She is terrific. But one day a mate said I should try another one he recommended. From time to time I needed physio to manipulate my disc back into position etc.

Went to recommended fella, hardly touched me. Said I needed an MRI plus may need a needle of cortisone into my back or something to relieve swollen disc. Never went back.

I do Pilates and the odd time I may go back to my regular physio. I asked her does she think I may need an MRI or a needle. She said if I wanted to spend money to tell me what I already know then it’s my call. Didn’t recommend needle as she said take some anti inflam tablets and one or two sessions will sort me.

It’s an on going thing once you get wear and tear in discs. It’s not the end of the world but it can be managed once you strengthen your core either through Pilates/yoga.

King of Kings

i suffered badly from sciatica in the past.
physio wasn't a help , in fact they didn't recognise the initial symptoms but that could have been an inexperienced physio.

acupuncture helped the symptoms and chiropractor helped the cause.

This was me though - depends whats causing it.

Lekrub

Thanks for the extra opinions. I gave it a rest for awhile to see if there was any improvement. Big difference since I stopped exercising - as in I could sleep at night, but still a numbing pain a few times every day.

Picked up a cold + cough too (first time in years) so if this doesn't shift soon I might go to the doctor with a double problem.

I watched and done some stretches from this this cheesy but useful american physio duo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfpWjqVP6U

mad m

That’s the exercises my physio gave me to do.

Plus this also.

cinnabar

I regularly get bouts of sciatica sometimes it can be prolonged and extremely painful. I found that a session with an osteopath sorts it right out.

Lekrub

Result from MRI:

L4/L5 - minor disc bulge which makes contact L5 nerve roots
L5/S1 - minimal disc bulge which makes contact S1 nerve roots

So there is some slight damage, but seems time can heal as nothing really out of whack.

If I had of stayed going to the physio each week up until now, I would be down 200 euro and in the same position.

Although at this time and knowing what it is exactly, maybe scope for occasional physio.

dastardly00

Lekrub wrote: »

Result from MRI:

L4/L5 - minor disc bulge which makes contact L5 nerve roots
L5/S1 - minimal disc bulge which makes contact S1 nerve roots

So there is some slight damage, but seems time can heal as nothing really out of whack.

If I had of stayed going to the physio each week up until now, I would be down 200 euro and in the same position.

Although at this time and knowing what it is exactly, maybe scope for occasional physio.

As you said, time may be the best healer.
But a physio can help you determine what was/is the root cause of the disc bulges though (excuse the pun). And they can help you correct any underlying issues you may have.

I too have been previously diagnosed with L4/L5 & L5/S1 minor disc bulges that impinge on nerves. My physio has shown me stretches to help alleviate pain, but has also pointed out to me that I suffer from 'butt wink' and has worked with me to try and improve my mechanics/form.

Lekrub

dastardly00 wrote: »

Lekrub wrote: »

Result from MRI:

L4/L5 - minor disc bulge which makes contact L5 nerve roots
L5/S1 - minimal disc bulge which makes contact S1 nerve roots

So there is some slight damage, but seems time can heal as nothing really out of whack.

If I had of stayed going to the physio each week up until now, I would be down 200 euro and in the same position.

Although at this time and knowing what it is exactly, maybe scope for occasional physio.

As you said, time may be the best healer.
But a physio can help you determine what was/is the root cause of the disc bulges though (excuse the pun). And they can help you correct any underlying issues you may have.

I too have been previously diagnosed with L4/L5 & L5/S1 minor disc bulges that impinge on nerves. My physio has shown me stretches to help alleviate pain, but has also pointed out to me that I suffer from 'butt wink' and has worked with me to try and improve my mechanics/form.

Haha go on what is butt wink? I’m afraid to google that. Yea I feel that I might go soon to get some stretches, see is there any specific tho that region.

dastardly00

Lekrub wrote: »

Haha go on what is butt wink? I’m afraid to google that. Yea I feel that I might go soon to get some stretches, see is there any specific tho that region.

What is commonly known as "butt wink" refers to the moment at the bottom of a squat when the pelvis begins to rotate backward and slip under the body. You'll also hear it referred to as "posterior pelvic tilt" or just "pelvic tilt," and when it's severe, it can be bad news for your lower back.

Taken from this link: https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/beat-butt-wink-squat-big-without-hurting-your-back.html

Lekrub

Ah I’ve hear of posterior pelvic tilt alright. Thanks for the link. I’ve seen some things about correcting that before this started. I blame desk sitting

dastardly00

Lekrub wrote: »

Ah I’ve hear of posterior pelvic tilt alright. Thanks for the link. I’ve seen some things about correcting that before this started. I blame desk sitting

One 'positive' outcome from my back injury is that I now have an adjustable sit-stand desk at work. It's been a game-changer for me.

Heres Johnny

I had sciatica and went to my usual rugby physio. Couldn't fix it. I was with him a few times. Then I went to a guy in kilcock that's a spinologist (sounds made up but it's a type of chiropractor although he said it's completely different).
Anyway, 2 visits and it was 100% healed. Sore from the treatment for a day or 2 but fine after that. Name is Mark Doyle I think.
Changed my work chair and posture at desk and it never came back.

Transform

dastardly00 wrote: »

As you said, time may be the best healer.
But a physio can help you determine what was/is the root cause of the disc bulges though (excuse the pun). And they can help you correct any underlying issues you may have.

I too have been previously diagnosed with L4/L5 & L5/S1 minor disc bulges that impinge on nerves. My physio has shown me stretches to help alleviate pain, but has also pointed out to me that I suffer from 'butt wink' and has worked with me to try and improve my mechanics/form.

from my experience the butt wink can be fixed by simply teaching people to breathe and brace properly

most kids will tilt under when they squat so its not a bad thing, just bad when you do it under loading or if it means shoulders cave also

black and white

I had sciatica for a number of years. I tried everything. I lost count of the number of physios I was at. I did go to one physio that told me to start doing band walks (elastic band just above knees and walk forward, back and side wards) which solved the problem for me.

Before this, I was told to stretch and stretch by many Physios which did not really help with the pain. Once I did a week or two of band walks I started to notice a huge difference. I now try and do the bank walks every second day if not some every day.

I hope this can be of some help to people.