Sciatica pain is one of the most intense and aggravating forms of pain you can experience. Unfortunately, this condition can linger for weeks or months with no sign of relief.
Physical therapists recommend a few specialized treatments to reduce sciatica pain. One effective treatment that many patients are unaware of is dry needling.
While dry needling for sciatica may feel unfamiliar to you, it can produce fast, reliable relief and is worth considering. Discover the benefits of dry needling for sciatica and see how Exchange Physical Therapy Group provides expert physical therapy in Jersey City, NJ, to help you feel your best.
What Can Dry Needling Therapy Do for Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that produces nerve pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs. It can occur when a herniated disk or a bone spur presses on the nerve. Physical therapy is one of the best treatments for sciatica pain, and many physical therapists have begun recommending dry needling over other treatments due to its fast and effective symptom relief.
Dry needling uses thin needles strategically placed by a skilled physical therapist to target trigger points—unlocking powerful relief for sciatic nerve pain. Here’s how this innovative treatment can help.
Relieve Nerve Pain
Those struggling with sciatica pain want relief more than anything. Traditional pain relievers like medications and heating pads only do so much to help the pain. Often, a more intense treatment like dry needling is necessary to alleviate this troubling nerve pain.
When a physical therapist inserts the dry needle into specialized points along the back and leg, it stimulates nerve fibers that activate sensory pathways. These pathways release endorphins to override the pain sensation in the target area. Dry needling for sciatica offers quick relief; many patients experience less pain during the treatment, while more significant pain relief comes after repeat sessions.
Reduce Inflammation To Encourage Faster Healing
Sciatica pain often results from inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Minimizing inflammation can take pressure off the nerve, relieving pain and preventing it from returning.
Dry needling can reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow to the lower back and legs. This trigger point therapy promotes faster healing for the inflamed tissue near the sciatica nerve, streamlining your recovery.
Improve Range of Motion
Going through life with sciatica pain can be immensely challenging. Walking is often painful, let alone other physical activities like jogging or biking. Some patients with sciatica even struggle to sit or lie down comfortably.
Dry needling can improve your range of motion around the target area, helping you return to normal activities. This treatment releases muscle tension, relaxes sore muscles, and makes movement more comfortable. It can also stimulate the nerves to restore normal muscle function.
As you continue dry needling sessions, it may alleviate more pressure on the sciatic nerve, further improving the range of motion over time.
Reduce the Need for Surgery
One of the main goals of physical therapy is to replace more invasive treatments, such as surgery. Some severe cases of sciatica do require surgery to remove a section of the herniated disc that is pressing on the nerve. However, using dry needling for sciatica may allow you to avoid surgery and still make a full recovery.
If dry needling effectively manages pain in conjunction with physical rehabilitation, you may not need to consider anything more invasive. At the very least, it can help you feel more comfortable delaying surgery while you explore other options.
Schedule Dry Needling in Jersey City Today
Are you ready to try dry needling for sciatica? If you’re still unsure, our physical therapists can meet with you to explain the procedure and help you understand what to expect. We can also compare dry needling benefits to other treatments that may ease your pain, creating a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. At Exchange Physical Therapy Group, we offer one-on-one physical therapy across Hudson County, NJ. Contact us today at (201) 721-6130 to schedule your consultation for dry needling therapy.
If you are struggling with sciatic nerve pain, consider dry needling for sciatica. Learn how this treatment relieves sciatica pain and promotes other benefits.
