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187 E Market St #142, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, USA
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P: 845-217-2400
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F: 845-694-7224

Clinic Hours:

Monday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 3:30pm
Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Tuesday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday: Closed

How Physical Therapy Can Help With Sciatica


Sciatica is the result of pain from the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in your body. It is located from the lower back all the way down to your knee. Sciatica is a common result of a lumbar disc herniation. This causes the lumbar disc herniation to directly press on the nerve and cause inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can also cause tingling, numbness, or weakness making the normal simple task of walking very difficult and painful. The pain usually radiates down the lower back down to the thigh and leg. Sometimes the pain can be found around the hip and feel like hip pain. The symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist. People usually find relief when they lay down.

Your healthcare provider can usually diagnose sciatica with a physical exam and medical history. Sometimes x-rays and MRI scans are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica. Once you are diagnosed with sciatica, consult with a physical therapist to get a specialized treatment plan for your specific condition. Including specific exercises which incorporate a combination of strengthening and stretching.

Strengthening exercises help make the spine and all the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons stronger. Most of these exercises not only focus on the areas that are in pain, but all of the core muscles because they help support the spine. This will keep everything aligned and extended to different sorts of movement you weren’t doing before physical therapy.

Stretching exercises are recommended to reduce sciatica pain. These exercises are designed to target the muscles that cause pain when they were tight and inflexible. The most common stretch for sciatica in a physical therapy program is the hamstring stretch.

When people suffering from sciatica engage in a regular program of physical therapy and do stretching and strengthening exercises, the road to recovery can be quick and successful.

Reach Out for Expert Physical Therapy and Get Back to Your Active Lifestyle!