Relief for Back Pain and Sciatica

Do you experience pain when bending down or lifting objects? Are you experiencing pain in your leg or numbness in your foot? You could be suffering from back pain and sciatica. If you find yourself in pain, it’s time to see a physical therapist at Marketplace Physical Therapy & Wellness Center.

Sciatica is often a debilitating condition that is a result of compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The condition most commonly is associated with pain radiating down the leg. While “sciatica” may sound severe, it’s entirely curable.

If you are suffering from back pain or sciatica, you know how hindering it can be. It can be so severe that people struggle to do activities of daily living. Fortunately, we are experts at treating any back pain or sciatica you may be experiencing.

Contact Marketplace Physical Therapy & Wellness Center today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how physical therapy can help you find relief!

What Is The Difference Between Back Pain And Sciatica?

Lower back pain starts in and around the spine itself. The source of the pain comes from injury or irritation of the muscles, joints (including the intervertebral discs and facet joints), nerves or surrounding ligaments, and other soft tissue.

Although sciatica is a commonly used term, it may also be confusing because it is sometimes used to describe any type of back or leg pain. But true sciatica refers to pain that radiates downwards from the lower back/buttock region along the course of the nerve into the thigh and lower leg.

Sciatica may include paresthesias (i.e., numbness and tingling), weakness in the muscles of the foot and lower leg. In severe cases, it can include changes to bowel and bladder function.

While back pain and sciatica can be intense, both are treatable with physical therapy, often within a few weeks. Even if you’ve suffered severe pain, there’s still hope!

Risk Factors For Back Pain And Sciatica

The risk factors often associated with back pain are:

Improper posture or prolonged positions (i.e., prolonged sitting)
Spinal muscle and tissue damage (i.e., lifting strains or trauma from accidents)
Limited hip, spine, and pelvis mobility
Limited muscle flexibility
Spinal/pelvic muscle weaknesses (aka “core” weakness)
Poor abdominal, pelvic and back muscle coordination (i.e., compensations due to injury)

In most cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated lumbar disc where the nerve root is irritated and/or inflamed by disc material ruptured.

Risk factors for a herniated disk include:

Smoking
Repetitive lifting, bending and twisting
Sedentary lifestyle
Genetics
Excess body weight

Physical therapy can help you identify what is causing your back pain and/or sciatica and resolve it successfully. The combination of education and activity modification can help set the stage for a successful outcome.

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Sciatica

If you’re experiencing back pain or sciatica, contact a physical therapist immediately. Your physical therapist will perform a thorough physical examination and provide you with solutions that work based on the finding.

Education

Understanding what is going on, and more importantly, what you can do about it, is one of the most effective solutions. Education seems small, but consistently it has been shown to help!

Stay active

It is essential to stay active despite the intensity of the pain. Your physical therapist can help you identify modifications to painful tasks and help you be safe and active.

Exercise

Supervised exercises are vital to a successful outcome. A physical therapist will tailor your exercises, monitor you, and progress you based on your individual needs.

Manual therapy

Physical therapists often use manual therapy for their patients with sciatica. Manual therapies include a variety of techniques that move one or more joints within normal ranges of motion to improve spinal joint motion or function. It can also include soft tissue techniques that help to alleviate pain and allow for more mobility and improved function.

Our therapists know the solutions that work. Supervised exercises that include movements, postural corrections, nerve mobilization, and/or strengthening effectively provide relief.

Starting physical therapy treatments early in the diagnosis is the best way to quickly improve and resolve your pain.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you are suffering from back pain or sciatica, call Marketplace Physical Therapy & Wellness Center today. Don’t live with the pain any longer – get relief with physical therapy!

Say Goodbye to Pain – Get Started with PT Now!

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to Marketplace Physical Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals—book your appointment today!

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Quick & Easy Healthy Recipe

Valentine’s Day Rose Latte

This Valentine’s Day Rose Latte recipe is a cozy, romantic drink that blends creamy comfort with delicate floral sweetness. It’s the perfect way to treat yourself—or someone you love—to a beautiful and relaxing moment.

Ingredients:

2 1⁄2 cups Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk
1 tbsp + 1 tsp Maple Syrup
1 tsp Beet Powder
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Rose Water

Optional:

1⁄2 tsp Ground Cardamom
2 Espresso Shots

Directions:

Add the unsweetened plant-based milk, maple syrup, beetroot powder, and cardamom (if using) to a small pot over low heat.

Heat on low for about 5 minutes or until warmed to your liking, stirring frequently. Then take off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract & rose water.

Pour the espresso shot into your mug (if using). If you have a milk frother, use it to froth the plant-based milk mixture (this is optional too).

Pour the rose milk latte into your mug and top with dried rose petals and an extra dash of cardamom if you like. Enjoy!

February Word Scramble

lotacehoc
eeanlnitv
bauefrry
iprdinehfs
iwentr
aceornm

Answer Key

chocolate
valentine
february
friendship
winter
romance

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Tips for A Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day!

This year, don’t forget the most important Valentine of all: your heart! With February being the month of love and American Heart Month, here are a few tips to combine them into one fabulous celebration:

Try a heart-healthy treat: Pomegranate seeds, good dark chocolate, and sweet strawberries are all delicious alternatives to candy hearts.
Take a ballroom dance class with your sweetheart: Nothing’s more romantic than a sweeping waltz or sultry tango. But ballroom dancing is also a great cardio workout–making it the perfect date night for American Heart Month!
Sink into a relaxing bubble bath: Stress contributes to cardiovascular disease, so this month, set aside time to rest and relax with a bubble bath. Dim the lights, burn a few candles, and settle down with your favorite romantic read.

Want more healthy heart tips this February–or any month of the year? Schedule an appointment with Marketplace Physical Therapy & Wellness Center today!

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Patient Testimonial

“I absolutely love Marketplace PT! Dr. Courtney is a joy to work with — she’s patient, attentive, and truly committed to your healing. The entire team is knowledgeable and professional, and they always make me feel supported throughout my recovery.

I’ve been a patient for roughly three years for different injuries, and every experience has been consistently excellent. The facility is always clean, sanitized, and well-maintained, which gives me great peace of mind.

Highly recommend Marketplace PT to anyone looking for caring and effective physical therapy!”

–Felicia M.

Exercise of the Month

BRIDGING

Begin on your back. Bend your knees and keep your back flat on the ground. Gently, contract your abdominals and hold to keep your back flat as you move up into the bridge position. Remember to breathe. Gently, squeeze your butt muscles and lift your hips off the ground. The goal is to have your hips aligned with your knees and shoulders. Hold for 5 seconds.

3 Sets, 10 Reps.