Sciatica can cause pain, burning, tingling, or numbness that travels from your lower back or buttock into your leg. Symptoms may make sitting, driving, walking, or even sleeping uncomfortable.
At Altius Physical Therapy in Park Ridge, NJ, we take an individualized approach to treating sciatica, focusing on understanding your symptoms, identifying contributing factors, and helping you return to your normal activities.
Sciatica typically involves irritation or compression of nerves originating in the lower back. Common causes include lumbar disc herniations, spinal stenosis, and degenerative changes.
However, not every pain traveling into the leg comes from the spine. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms, which is why a thorough evaluation matters.
Rather than relying solely on imaging or assuming everyone needs the same exercises, we look at how your symptoms respond to movement, positioning, and activity.
Your evaluation may include assessment of spinal mobility, lower-extremity strength, neurological function, and movement patterns that reproduce or relieve symptoms.
Based on your findings, treatment may include:
Individualized exercises to improve mobility, strength, and movement tolerance
Hands-on manual therapy when appropriate
Progressive strengthening of the trunk, hips, and lower extremities
Activity modifications to help manage symptoms while maintaining appropriate movement
Education to help you understand your condition and manage symptoms between visits
Our goal isn’t simply to reduce pain temporarily. We want to help you regain function and feel more confident with everyday activities.
Whether sciatica is making it difficult to sit through a workday, walk comfortably, exercise, or get a good night’s sleep, treatment should reflect what matters most to you.
We tailor rehabilitation to your symptoms and goals, adjusting your program as your condition changes.
For more information about our approach to spinal conditions, visit our Back & Neck Pain page.
Dealing with sciatica or pain traveling into your leg?
Contact Altius Physical Therapy or call 201-391-8932 to schedule an evaluation.