What sciatica is
Sciatica is a description of symptoms, not a single diagnosis. Pain, tingling, or numbness may travel from the low back or buttock into the leg, often following the path of the sciatic nerve.
Things a physician might name as contributors to sciatica symptoms may include a disc-related issue in the low back, narrowing around nerves, or muscle-related irritation. Your physician or physical therapist can help identify what may be contributing in your case.
Disc-related leg pain
Discs are the cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. A physician may describe leg pain as disc-related, using terms like bulging disc or herniated disc.
Many people with disc-related symptoms explore conservative care such as physical therapy. Your physical therapist will assess your movement and symptoms to help build a plan suited to your situation.
How physical therapy may help
Physical therapy starts with evaluation. Your therapist will ask about your history and goals, observe how you move, and assess strength, flexibility, and how far symptoms travel. Based on what the evaluation reveals, you will work together to build a plan.
Exercise
Individualized exercises may include movement and strengthening chosen for your symptoms. Your program is adapted to your current abilities and what you are working to return to.
Education
Understanding positions and daily activities that may support comfort. Your therapist will discuss how to stay active within comfort.
Manual therapy
Hands-on techniques when appropriate to support mobility, flexibility, and tissue function. Manual therapy is one part of a broader plan that includes exercise and education.
Home strategies
Guidance for what you can practice at home to support the work you do during visits. Your therapist will discuss strategies suited to your life and goals.
For more on exercise-based care, see: Therapeutic exercise.
For more on hands-on care, see: Manual therapy.
Where decompression table therapy may fit
Some people with low back pain and leg symptoms explore spinal decompression or traction table therapy as one part of a physical therapy plan. PT 1st uses an FDA-cleared Chattanooga decompression table at the Montebello clinic.
Whether it fits depends on evaluation and screening. It is not right for everyone.
A 10-visit decompression package is available at Montebello; see the service page for details.
Learn how decompression works, who may not be a candidate, and the 10-visit package: Spinal decompression & traction therapy.
For a detailed comparison, see: Spinal decompression vs traction.
What a first visit may include
Your first appointment is typically an evaluation. You will discuss your history, symptoms, and how far symptoms travel. Your therapist will observe how you move, perform a movement and neurological screen, and work with you to outline a plan. First visits are usually longer than follow-up visits to allow time for conversation and assessment.
If decompression table therapy is being considered as part of your plan, screening for it happens at this evaluation.
- Conversation about your history and functional goals
- Movement and neurological assessment
- Discussion of findings in plain language
- Collaborative plan and strategies for home
When to seek medical care right away
Physical therapy is educational and rehabilitative care, not emergency medicine. Seek medical care right away for:
- •New loss of bladder or bowel control
- •Numbness in the groin area
- •Sudden or worsening leg weakness
- •Severe symptoms after trauma
- •Fever with back pain or other symptoms that concern you
Related concerns
Leg symptoms often come with low back pain. Physical therapy plans can address multiple areas when appropriate. Care is individualized based on your evaluation and goals.
For related musculoskeletal questions, see: Physical therapy for back pain.
For information on balance and gait as part of a care plan, see: Balance rehabilitation.
Insurance & payment
General physical therapy for sciatica may be billed to insurance depending on your plan. View insurance & payment options. The decompression package is self-pay and not billed to insurance.
PT 1st participates with several major insurance plans and Medicare, including Medicare, Workers’ Compensation, Aetna, Health Net, Blue Cross, and others. Many insurance plans cover physical therapy when medically necessary, but benefits, referral requirements, and authorization rules vary by plan.
We encourage you to call the clinic with your insurance information before your first visit so we can verify your coverage and help you understand what may be needed.
When to call the clinic
If you have questions about scheduling, insurance coverage, whether a referral is needed, or whether physical therapy is appropriate for your situation, call (323) 246-4616. The clinic team can help you understand what to expect and what may be needed before your first visit.
This article is general education. It is not a substitute for evaluation or personalized medical advice from your physician or physical therapist. Seek medical care for severe or emergency symptoms that concern you.