Benefits of Laser Therapy for Sciatica
What is Sciatica and its Impact on Daily Life
Sciatica refers to radiating pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back into the buttock, and down into the legs. Sciatica is often worsened with movements such as bending over, sitting, twisting, or coughing. In certain cases, injury to the sciatic nerve can also present pain, weakness, or paresthesia. When dealing with sciatica, it is important to take a well-rounded approach and advise your physical therapist on the best, individualized plan of care for you. Generally, a combination of manual therapy targeted exercise and frequent movement will help you reach your goals. However, there are other tools in our toolbox to help aid in your recovery. Learn about the benefits of laser therapy for sciatica.
Benefits of Laser Therapy for Sciatica
Laser therapy is otherwise known as low-intensity light therapy. The light triggers biochemical changes within the cells. Laser therapy is believed to affect the function of connective tissue cells, accelerate connective tissue repair, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Using laser therapy can be a great adjunct to your therapy sessions if you are dealing with sciatica. Laser may be helpful throughout all stages, but specifically at the more acute stages of your rehab when certain movements may be painful and limited.
What to Expect at a Session
If you are already being treated by a physical therapist for your sciatica symptoms, simply ask your PT about using a laser as a part of your plan of care. Once you and your PT agree that it may be beneficial, it can easily be integrated into your treatment sessions. Generally, a rehab aide will be directed to complete the treatment at the end of your session. You can expect about 10-15 minutes for the treatment, depending on the dosage that is best determined for you.
How to Make an Appointment
To have a laser treatment, we recommend setting up an evaluation with one of our physical therapists, so they can do a full evaluation and determine if it would be appropriate for you. Making an appointment is as easy as stopping by or calling our front desk so they can set you up with an appointment time that works best for you! After you’ve worked with a PT and you’ve found laser to be a beneficial treatment, you may also schedule a laser-only appointment where you can come in for the laser treatment only.