Sciatica is an umbrella term used to describe leg symptoms, such as pain, numbness, or tingling, caused by spinal conditions. Irritation or entrapment of the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal canal can lead to severe symptoms and disability. The majority of these cases can be treated conservatively including Physical Therapy and possible spinal...
Sciatica is a painful condition with symptoms of pain, numbness, and/or pins and needles extending down the leg. The term sciatica is helpful for location of symptoms, but their are multiple causes of sciatica. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics, determining the cause is the first step in recovery for this...
Spinal manipulation, dating at least to Hippocrates’ writings, is one of the oldest known medical treatments. Currently, these treatments are commonly performed by Physical Therapists, chiropractors, and physicians to treat a variety of musculoskeletal pains. Evidence supporting spinal manipulation is primarily found in three areas: headache, neck pain, and low back pain. This data supports...
The evidence continues to build on the benefits of early Physical Therapy for patients with low back pain. Previous researchers have found successful outcomes and decreased health care costs (up to $1500 per episode of care) when patients are treated with early vs. delayed Physical Therapy or compared to usual care including primary care, education,...
Our previous posts have documented the success of Physical Therapy treatments on sciatica, radiating pain down the back of leg, compared to other conservative treatments and surgery. Specifically, no differences have been noted between surgery and PT at long term follow up. Another medical intervention for sciatica includes non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These...