Addressing Sciatic Pain: Start Early for Best Results
Lower back pain is bad enough. Now imagine that pain radiating down through your buttocks and into your leg. Maybe your leg becomes numb. Maybe the pain is so bad that you can barely walk!
For people with sciatica, this nightmare scenario is a reality. Sciatica is a type of lumbar radiculopathy (i.e., nerve pain) resulting from damage or irritation to the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down the back of your leg. It affects between 1% – 5% of the population.
Sciatica can be debilitating. In addition to intense pain, it severely limits your mobility — some people may struggle to get around at all. And because it results from nerve damage, it can also cause numbness, tingling, and other sensations in the leg.
The good news is that physical therapy at Kleinpeter Physical Therapy is one of the best treatment options for addressing sciatic pain. Unlike pain medication, it doesn’t simply mask the symptoms — it seeks to resolve the underlying cause of your sciatic pain so that you have lasting relief.
Are you ready to say goodbye to sciatic pain for good? Call us to set up your initial evaluation today — and let us get to the root of your sciatica!
When Should I See a Physical Therapist About Sciatica?
As with most musculoskeletal pains, sooner is better! Many people try to ride out sciatic pain by taking pain medication and resting — which can actually be counterproductive and further worsen the underlying cause of your sciatica. By seeking out an early intervention, you can start feeling better faster.
You should also pay attention to changes in the severity of your pain or shifting sensations in your back and leg. Because sciatica is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, these changing symptoms can indicate something is happening to the nerve.
What are some of the specific symptoms of sciatica you should watch out for?
- Pain in the lower back, buttocks, and leg. (Sciatica usually only affects one leg at a time.) This pain might be dull, throbbing, aching, shooting, sharp, etc. Remember to pay attention to changes in sensation!
- Numbness or tingling in the back, buttocks, or leg
- Restricted range of motion in the back. You might struggle to twist, bend, or stand up straight.
- Walking with a limp
- Increased pain in the morning or after remaining in one position for an extended period
One symptom you absolutely shouldn’t ignore is any kind of incontinence when paired with sciatic pain. This indicates a serious medical emergency that may require surgical intervention — but our physical therapists will be here waiting to help you with rehabilitation!
Fortunately, such incidents are rare. In most cases, regular physical therapy is enough to resolve sciatic pain.
Physical Therapy: Frontline Treatment for Sciatica
One of the reasons physical therapy is so effective for sciatic pain is that it focuses on resolving the underlying cause. When you come in for your appointment, our therapists will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help us determine what might be irritating, pinching, or compressing your sciatic nerve.
We’ll ask you to share details about your symptoms, such as when they started and the exact sensations you’re experiencing (i.e., dull pain, shooting pain, numbness). We’ll also perform several movement screens that give us a complete picture of your situation. We might check the following:
- Overall mobility
- Muscle weakness and activity
- Nerve activity
- Posture
- Balance and gait
Once we understand what’s causing your sciatic pain, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan to address that cause. The most common cause of sciatica is a lumbar herniated disc.
Nestled between each vertebra in your spine is a vertebral disc, a soft cushion of cartilage that protects the vertebrae from rubbing against each other. If one of those discs becomes damaged — either because of a sudden injury or age-related degeneration — they can rupture or bulge, irritating the nearby sciatic nerve.
By addressing your herniated disc, you can resolve your sciatica. For most people, that means a targeted, progressive therapeutic exercise program paired with pain management techniques such as manual therapy.
Don’t Let That Sciatic Pain Linger: Make Your Appointment Today!
Sciatica can dramatically impact your overall quality of life. Early intervention with Kleinpeter Physical Therapy will ensure you say goodbye to sciatic pain for good.
If you’re experiencing any possible sciatica symptoms, call today to make your appointment!
Bounce Back Strong with Physical Therapy
Don’t let pain dictate your life’s story. Reach out to Kleinpeter Physical Therapy to learn how physical therapy can be the first step towards a pain-free life!
Welcome Hayley Bordes to the Team!
We’re excited to welcome Hayley Bordes, PT, DPT, to our team! Some of our patients may already recognize Hayley, as she completed a clinical rotation with us in June and July of 2025.
Hayley officially joins us on June 22, and we’re thrilled to have her back—this time as a member of our clinical team. We look forward to the knowledge, compassion, and energy she brings to helping our patients achieve their goals.
Why Feeling Better Isn’t the Finish Line
Most people begin physical therapy because they are dealing with pain. While reducing discomfort is an important milestone, it is often just the first sign that your treatment is working—not the final goal.
Musculoskeletal pain is frequently caused by underlying weaknesses, stiffness, balance deficits, or movement dysfunctions that have developed over time. Physical therapy helps calm irritated tissues and reduce symptoms, but lasting recovery requires addressing the root cause.
Pain Relief Is Only Step One
Our goal isn’t simply to help you feel better for a few days. We focus on restoring strength, mobility, endurance, balance, and confidence so you can safely return to the activities you enjoy while reducing your risk of future injury.
Reduce Pain
Calm irritated tissues and improve comfort so you can begin moving more freely.
Restore Function
Improve mobility, strength, balance, and movement patterns that contributed to the problem.
Build Resilience
Prepare your body for long-term success and reduce the likelihood of recurring injuries.
Direct Access
Did You Know You Have Direct Access To Physical Therapy?
Whether you want to come in for a check-up, suffered a recent injury, or want to improve your health, a physician referral is not needed. In the state of Louisiana, you have direct access to physical therapy!
You have the power to choose. Just as you can fill a prescription for medication at a pharmacy of your choice, you can choose where to receive physical therapy as well.
Taking care of yourself means taking charge of your healthcare, so remember that regardless of which physician you see, you have a choice when it comes to physical therapy.
Minor aches and pains are warning signals from your body to let you know something is not working properly. Don’t put off the pain until it’s too late. Come in today for a “Tune-Up.”
Acai Smoothie Bowl
Refresh your day with this antioxidant-packed acai smoothie bowl loaded with berries, banana, and creamy Greek yogurt. It’s a delicious way to support energy, recovery, and overall wellness!
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 large banana, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen berries
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 frozen packet acai berry puree (100g)
- Optional toppings: granola, fresh berries, coconut flakes, chia seeds, sliced banana, or almonds
Instructions
- Place the apple juice, banana, frozen berries, yogurt, honey, and acai puree into a blender.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Pour the smoothie mixture evenly into 2 deep bowls.
- Arrange your favorite toppings over the smoothie bowls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Exercise of the Month
PIRIFORMIS STRETCH
Start by sitting up straight with your knees bent and feet flat. Bend your leg and place your ankle across the top of your other knee. Rotate your trunk toward your bent knee and gently pull your knee toward your chest until you feel a stretch in your hip.
Hold for 30 seconds. 2 Sets, 1 Rep. (Materials needed: chair)
Patient Success Story!
“I had an excellent experience with the team at Kleinpeter PT in Zachary. I can’t imagine anyone providing better treatment and highly recommend!”
-Ian E.
Follow Us on Social Media!
Share Your Success Story
Love your experience with Kleinpeter Physical Therapy? Click the button to leave us a Google review—your feedback helps others find the care they need!
Thank You for Subscribing to Kleinpeter Physical Therapy
Refer a Friend
Our purpose at Kleinpeter Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
