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Sciatica Treatment

Non-Surgical Sciatica Treatment for Lasting Pain Relief

If you’re dealing with pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your buttock or leg, physical therapy can offer real relief without the need for surgery. However, it’s important to know that not all treatments are the same. Low-quality care, whether it’s from physical therapy, chiropractic, or another approach, can easily make sciatica worse. If you’ve tried physical therapy or chiropractic before and didn’t find the relief you were looking for, it’s essential to find the right expert—someone with experience and a personalized approach.

With over 18 years of experience and a proven method for diagnosing and treating sciatica, I’ve helped hundreds of patients find lasting relief. My focus is on addressing sciatica at its source and providing care that truly works for you.

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What is Sciatica? Understanding Causes and Symptoms

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through your hips and legs, and down to your feet. It often happens because of a herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, or something else pressing on the nerve.

Common symptoms of sciatica include:

Pain: Often described as sharp, shooting, or aching.
Numbness: Loss of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation.
Tingling: A prickling feeling in the affected areas.
Weakness: Leg weakness or sometimes a condition called foot drop.
Worsened Pain with Movement: Pain that gets worse with certain movements, like sitting, bending, or lifting, but often improves when lying down.
Radiating Symptoms: Pain that starts in the lower back and travels into the buttock, down the leg, and sometimes into the calf or foot.
Temperature Sensations: Unusual feelings of heat or cold in the affected areas.

How I Treat Sciatica - Comprehensive Sciatica Treatment

Sciatica is a complex condition that needs careful, personalized treatment. It’s easy to make symptoms worse with a one-size-fits-all approach. As with any condition, the key to effective care is getting an accurate diagnosis, which can only happen through a thorough evaluation. That’s why I take the time to get it right, starting with an hour-long first session where we go over a detailed intake form you fill out beforehand.

A big part of treating sciatica effectively is making temporary changes to irritating postures and activities. Identifying these and adjusting them can make a huge difference, providing an opportunity for the inflammation to calm down. I also incorporate the right exercises to strengthen and improve flexibility, which are crucial for relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve.

The main steps in my treatment plan are:

Evaluation: Every sciatica treatment begins with a comprehensve evaluation to find out what’s causing your pain.
Targeted Exercise: I create a custom exercise plan with specific movements to strengthen your core and legs, and improve mobility and flexibility, which helps relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques reduce muscle tension, ease the pinched nerve, and improve how you move.
Advanced Technologies: I use modern treatments like Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Shockwave Therapy, dry needling, and red light therapy to help you heal faster.
Activity Coaching: I guide you on how to adjust your daily activities to prevent further nerve irritation.

FAQs About Sciatica

Who is the best professional to see for treating sciatica?

There are different types of professionals who treat sciatica, each with their own approach. Chiropractors focus on adjusting the spine, physiatrists may use injections or medications, and orthopedic surgeons might suggest surgery. But if you want to treat sciatica without surgery and give yourself the best chance of getting rid of it for good, a physical therapist is often the best choice. As a physical therapist with over extensive experience treating spine conditions, I offer a comprehensive approach to sciatica care. My treatment toolbox includes proven exercises, activity coaching, advanced technologies, and hands-on techniques similar to chiropractic adjustments. This combination, backed by a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis, allows me to effectively help you relieve sciatica pain and get back to your normal activities. The plan I develop is always tailored to your specific needs.

How long does it take sciatica to heal with physical therapy?

There’s no single answer to this question. I’ve seen sciatica pain improve after just one session, but more complex cases can take several months to manage. And sometimes, surgery is necessary. In most cases, high-quality physical therapy can effectively manage and often even completely resolve sciatica. It’s important to emphasize that not all physical therapy is the same. When dealing with a condition as complex as sciatica, you need to work with a skilled and experienced therapist to get the best results. On average, most cases take about 6-8 weeks to see significant improvement. This usually involves a combination of clinical visits, consistency with a home exercise program, and following advice on modifying activities and postures that might make your condition worse.

How do I stop unbearable sciatica pain?

Every case of sciatica is different, so it requires a personalized approach. That’s why my sessions are usually one hour long, allowing me to spend the full time with you, one-on-one. Together, we’ll uncover the specifics of your unique case so that I can provide you with the best solution. The first step is a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis. We then work together to figure out which postures and movements might be making your sciatica worse. In nearly every case, certain activities or positions are causing inflammation and ongoing discomfort. Once we identify and adjust these triggers, you’ll often see significant improvements within days or weeks. Next, we focus on building strength, flexibility, and mobility where it’s needed most. To speed up your progress, I use advanced treatments, modern technology, and hands-on techniques available in my clinic. I also teach you proper movement patterns and lifestyle adjustments to help you maintain progress and prevent the issue from returning in the future.

Can Sciatica Be Treated Without Surgery?

Yes, sciatica can often be treated effectively without surgery. The key is to avoid doing anything that might make the issue worse, like improper exercises or inadequate advice on how to adjust your activities. Many of my clients are surprised to discover that they’ve been unknowingly doing things that inflame their spine and nerves, continuing the cycle of sciatica pain. My approach starts with a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis to pinpoint what’s causing your pain. From there, I create a personalized treatment plan that includes targeted exercises, activity coaching, advanced treatments, and hands-on techniques. These non-surgical methods are designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, and help you achieve long-term relief and get back to your normal activities. While some severe cases might need surgery or medications, my goal is to help you avoid surgery whenever possible by addressing the underlying issues with effective, non-invasive treatment. If surgery or other medical treatments are necessary, I can refer you to trusted doctors in the Boulder area to ensure you get the care you need quickly.

Why Choose Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy for Sciatica Treatment?

With over 18 years of experience as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I specialize in treating sciatica without surgery. My one-on-one care means that your treatment is customized to your specific needs, helping you avoid surgery, medications, and injections whenever possible.

During my 17 years in fast-paced New York City clinics, including my own practice, I helped hundreds of patients find long-term relief and avoid surgery. Working in an environment where people rely heavily on walking gave me the perfect setting to refine my skills and develop the treatment approach I now use in Boulder, CO.