Back Pain vs. Sciatica: Exploring the Distinction
If you’re dealing with pain in your back and lower extremities, you may have been told you’re suffering from sciatica. But are you really?
People often conflate lower back pain and sciatica, and if you’re in intense pain, you probably don’t care much about what it’s called–you just want relief! But in reality, understanding the type of pain and why you’re experiencing it is crucial in finding a lasting, long-term solution.
Today, we want to share two Rebound Physical Therapy patient stories with you. One patient (we’ll call him Frank) suffered from sciatica. Another patient (we’ll call her Laura) had back pain. By looking at these two stories, we hope you can better understand why distinguishing between back pain and sciatica is so important.
Frank’s Story: A True Case of Sciatica
Frank visited us because his pain was unbearable. He was experiencing it throughout the lower half of his body: in his lower back, through his buttocks, and all the way down to his foot. But it wasn’t just pain. Frank also experienced numbness and tingling throughout his leg, which only alarmed him further.
After learning Frank’s symptoms, we suspected sciatica–true sciatica. Why? A couple of reasons:
- The numbness and tingling indicated a nerve issue
- The symptoms follow along the path of the sciatic nerve, from which the condition takes its name
The next step was determining why. Sciatica isn’t a condition in and of itself but rather a sign that something is impacting the sciatic nerve. After a comprehensive evaluation, including several movement screens, we determined Frank’s sciatica stemmed from a herniated disc in his lower back.
Herniated discs occur when one of the intervertebral discs in the spine bulges or, in rare cases, ruptures. If it irritates the sciatic nerve (the root of which is located in the lower back), it will cause sciatica. In fact, most people with sciatica develop it due to a herniated disc.
Now that we knew the source of Frank’s pain, we were able to create a custom treatment program to strengthen his back and core, helping to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve as his herniated disc healed.
Laura’s Story: No Sciatica Detected
Laura visited us after her doctor told her she had developed sciatica. She was dealing with intense lower back pain that severely restricted the mobility in her back, making it difficult for her to walk. Sometimes, the pain spread down into her buttocks, too, although it never made it to her legs.
For this reason, we knew it was unlikely Laura had sciatica. Because sciatica affects the sciatic nerve, it always causes radiating pain throughout the lower extremities. She also wasn’t experiencing any signs of a nerve disorder.
However, there was no doubt that Laura was in pain and needed relief! We conducted an in-depth assessment to find out what might be going on. When we took Laura’s health history, we learned that the pain started after she rearranged some heavy furniture in her house. Some additional movement screens confirmed what we suspected: Laura had strained her back muscles.
A strain occurs when the tissue fibers in your muscles or tendons tear. Sometimes, those tears are microscopic but painful nonetheless. Laura’s injury was not only painful but also impacted her movement and posture.
Fortunately, a mild to moderate muscle strain can usually resolve with physical therapy. We developed a customized treatment plan to help her manage pain and improve her range of motion. As she improved, we began incorporating strengthening exercises.
Exercise Of The Month
Lower Trunk Rotations
- Start by lying face up on the floor with your knees bent.
- Allow your knees to slowly drop to one side.
- Your lower back should rotate, but your shoulders should stay flat on the ground.
- Hold for 30 seconds.
- Bring your knees back up and then drop them to the opposite side.
- 2 Sets, 2 Reps.
Service Spotlight: Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a hands-on therapy that relieves muscle tension, reduces pain, and improves mobility by targeting tight fascia. Gentle pressure and stretching release restrictions, enhance circulation, and restore movement, supporting recovery and overall function.
Personalized Treatment Plans, No Matter the Cause
Although Laura and Frank had two different injuries with different symptoms, their treatment plans looked fairly similar. That’s because physical activity is one of the best ways to resolve sciatica and lower back pain.
We put so much emphasis on identifying the source of your pain so we can develop the right treatment plan for your needs. We offer several techniques to help manage pain and rehabilitate a musculoskeletal injury, such as manual therapy, tailored exercises, and functional training.
At Rebound Physical Therapy, we want to help you live a healthy, happy life–and that starts with resolving any pain and discomfort that might be holding you back. If you’re dealing with persistent pain in your back, your legs, or anywhere else, call us to schedule an assessment today. Our physical therapists are on the case!
Understanding the “Comprehensive Assessment”
If you’ve been reading our newsletter for a while, you’ve probably seen us mention that we perform “comprehensive assessments” as the first step to treatment. These assessments are a crucial part of our process, as they allow us to better understand your symptoms, identify an underlying cause, and simply learn more about you.
But what exactly happens during these first-session evaluations? What can you expect? Today, we want to provide an in-depth overview so you can feel confident when you visit us for the first time!
The Basics
- Initial evaluations usually take between 30-60 minutes.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes like those you’d wear to work out.
- Be sure to arrive 15 minutes early so we can take care of any necessary paperwork.
Part 1: Health History and Symptom Evaluation
We’ll start by taking a complete health history. This includes any diagnoses you have and a discussion about what brought you into the clinic in the first place. The more information you can share about your symptoms and/or condition, the better.
For example, if you’re experiencing pain, make sure to tell us…
- Where the pain is located and whether or not it moves around
- The exact sensations of the pain (aching, burning, etc.)
- Whether it’s accompanied by additional symptoms, like mobility restriction or swelling
If you suffered an injury, we’ll also ask for detailed information about what exactly you were doing and what the injury felt like.
Part 2: Time to Get Moving
Not only will we ask you to discuss your symptoms, but we’ll also ask you to perform simple screens so we can measure any impairments that might be affecting your condition. What exactly we look for will vary based on your health history, but we often evaluate the following:
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Balance
- Posture
- Walking pattern
- Specific functional movements like bending, squatting, kneeling, and reaching.
Don’t feel intimidated by these screens. We aren’t grading you on your abilities but instead trying to better understand your injury or condition so we can develop the best treatment plan for your needs.
Part 3: A Personalized Treatment Plan
In fact, that treatment plan is how we finish up your initial session. We’ll develop a customized program based on all the information we gathered throughout the appointment. That way, you’ll be ready to get started at your next session!
If you’re dealing with pain or discomfort, don’t put off visiting Rebound Physical Therapy. Call us for an appointment today.
How To Have a Great Summer–PT Style!
The days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer, and school is winding down. That means one thing: summer is on its way! Here are some tips to ensure a healthy summer for you and your family:
- Drink plenty of water. While you should strive to stay hydrated all year round, it’s particularly important in warmer weather.
- Ease back into summer activities gradually. Whether you’re hitting the pool more frequently or taking more evening walks thanks to the later sunsets, avoid doing too much too soon. Start slow, don’t push too hard, and remember to warm up first.
- Don’t skip your PT sessions. We know summer’s busy. But keeping up with your physical therapy will help you stay active and pain-free throughout the season–and beyond!
Ready to make the most of the summer months? Schedule an appointment with Rebound Physical Therapy today!
Recipe of the Month: Salmon Taco Bowls
Ingredients:
- 2 (6 oz) wild salmon filets
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lime, juiced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ¾ tsp cumin
- ¾ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
- Ground black pepper
- 2 tsp of olive oil
- ¼ c very finely diced yellow onion
- ¼ c diced green pepper
- ¼ c finely diced cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ c tomato sauce
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cs water
- ¾ c uncooked white rice
- avocado, sliced
- Greek yogurt
- Salsa or hot sauce
- Cilantro
- Diced green onion
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment/foil and lightly grease.
- Place salmon skin-side down, drizzle with olive oil and lime juice. Mix seasoning (sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper) and rub evenly over salmon.
- Set aside. For rice: heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, green pepper, cilantro, and garlic for 2–4 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; simmer 2 minutes. Add water, bring to a boil, stir in rice, cover, and cook on low 15–20 minutes until tender.
- Remove from heat, fluff, cover, and steam 10 minutes. While rice steams, bake salmon for 15–20 minutes (about 16–18 is ideal) until it flakes easily.
- Serve rice in bowls, top with salmon, and add avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, salsa or hot sauce, green onion, and lime wedges.
Skip the Referral. Start Healing Today.
You don’t need a doctor’s referral to start feeling better. With Direct Access in Idaho, you can begin physical therapy at Rebound right away—saving time, reducing pain, and getting back to the activities you love faster. Our expert team will evaluate your condition, create a personalized treatment plan, and guide you every step of the way.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward recovery.
