So there are many sources of low back pain but one of the biggest problems with having low back pain in Pittsburgh, PA is that people think that there is the same solution for just about everyone.
Can you imagine if you took your car into the mechanic and he said that you needed a muffler on your car and then he told every single person with every make and model of every car that they need a muffler to fix their car. That of course would be crazy.
The problem is that the spine is complex and there are many causes of spinal pain. Here are the 10 Most Burning Questions about Sciatica, one of the many forms of low back and leg pain:
1). Is my Sciatica going to go away on it’s own?
The answer is NO. You will have waxing and waning periods of leg and low back pain relief but the pain will be back without professional help.
2.) If I don’t get help for my Sciatica will my condition ultimately get worse?
The answer is YES. Sciatica is not a condition that will “just go away”. Ultimately there is an underlying problem that needs to be resolved. If you are experiencing lower back pain that refers into the groin, down your leg to your foot or any combination then call our office at (412) 794-8352 to talk about your condition.
3.) Can physical therapy cure sciatica?
The answer is YES. In many cases with the guidance of physical therapy sciatica can be completely cured and you can get back to a better lifestyle. The good news is that physical therapy involves natural cures with the ability to heal your body without the need for taking medications, getting shots, and no surgery.
4.) What if physical therapy can not help?
In some cases physical therapy can not help your sciatica. This will be discovered within the very first visit with the physical therapist. Many people will schedule a “Discovery Visit” with our office. This is a 30 minute consultation to find out if we can help you or not.
If you would like to schedule your 30 minute discovery visit <<<Click Here>>>
5.) Can physical therapy hurt me or make my condition worse?
In almost every case NO. Physical therapy involves gentle approaches to eliminating the pain that makes you BETTER without using medications, shots, or surgery. If physical therapy can’t help then your condition most likely will not have changed.
6.) Is there more than 1 cause of sciatica?
Yes. There are many reasons why someone experiences sciatica and it depends upon many factors that are specific to the individual. It will take a full physical exam by the physical therapist to determine the reason why you are experiencing pain and what is the source.
7.) Do I need a referral to schedule an exam?
NO. You never need a referral to schedule a physical therapy exam. If you would like to schedule an exam please call our office at (412) 794-8352 or <<<Click Here>>>
8.) Could my back and leg pain be due to a herniated disk and give me the same symptoms as sciatica?
YES. In fact, the same nerves involved in sciatica also can be involved when a disc in the low back herniates. Sciatica describes an inflammation of the sciatic nerve that originates from the L1-L5 nerve roots. The same ones that might be impinged when a disk herniates.
9.) How long does it take to heal sciatica?
This depends upon your specific problem but usually less than 2 months.
10.) Is there a way to talk about my condition to see if physical therapy can help my sciatica?
YES. We offer a FREE Discovery visit. This is a 30 minute live conversation about your condition at our office with a physical therapist who specializes in the lumbar spine. This is a chance to see if you are a fit for physical therapy treatment and all questions can be answered about your specific condition. There is NO obligation to do anything but to learn about what is going on with your body. Because our office is busy treating patients everyday we schedule only two Discovery visits per month so <<<Click Here>>> to see if we have any availability this month.
Now… you may not have sciatica…we haven’t even determined that because you have not had a full lumbar evaluation yet…
So here is a list of other common lumbar spine conditions that you might have…
1) Lumbar disk tear- The spine is comprised of bony segments called vertebrae, a disk that is like a gel filled cushion, ligaments and muscles. When the outer fibers of the “annulus” of the disk are torn that occur through quick unexpected movements of the spine, pain can occur. This pain is often felt as “sharp” and immobility of the body soon follows. Some people have this feeling and rerport that they have “slipped a disk” but often this is not the case.
2) Lumbar disk bulge- When there is disruption to the internal compartments of the disk, a disk may protrude and lay on a nerve that is close to the spine. Often people have the feeling of “pins and needles” or “numbness” in their lower extremities. This can be inconsistent or consistent in nature.
3) Muscle strain- There’re hundreds of muscles that attach to the spine and injury to these muscles can cause a “tightening” of the spine. Many of these muscles cannot be felt and lie deep to the surface.
4) Lumbar degenerative disorders- Sometimes the bones of the spine become worn and the surfaces of the cartilage that protects the bony ends from rubbing on one another becomes degraded. When the bony ends press on one another they create inflammation, pain and more degradation.
5) Ligamentous tear- Ligaments are connective tissue that attach bone to bone. Sometimes ligaments will become torn through trauma and/or degeneration and will create pain in the spine.
The good news is that most conditions of the spine can be treated without the need for medication and surgery especially at the first hint of pain that is experienced by an individual. Lumbar spine pain often resolves without the need for intervention only to return a short time later if the cause is not addressed appropriately.
back pain without the need for medication or surgery 
Have sharp pain in Groin. area for 6 weeks- ( visited for Holiday Stuck in New Jersey couldn’t get home!!) ttried P T -aggravated it?
Hi Iris,
This pain could have resulted from many things but my first thought is taking a look at the sacroiliac complex. This would be the lower lumbar region, sacroiliac joints and hip joints. We often see sacroiliac problems (the joint between the sacrum and ilium) with symptoms similar to what you are describing. These symptoms often occur after car rides with uneven pressure exhibited throughout the ischium (bottom bone of the pelvis where you sit.) Often there are complaints of groin pain but this symptom could also be due to more serious issues. It would be best to follow up with your primary care physician to rule out other more serious medical conditions. If this has already been done then re-visit physical therapy with a therapist who specializes in spinal conditions. Best of health!
Hi Iris, ouch for sure! Groin pain can be the result of low back, sacroiliac, pelvic, and sometimes hip dysfunction, and many internal medical problems. We see this condition a lot at our clinics and this can be a very complex problem or an easy one to solve. If you have tried physical therapy and this was not effective I would take 2 courses of action. 1) See your primary care physician or gynecologist and rule out other medical disorders. 2) Find a physical therapist that specializes in these conditions such as an orthopedic physical therapist who specializes in the spine or pelvic floor physical therapist. If you are in the Pittsburgh area we would be able to find out what is causing your issue and lead you the right way. Best of health always and thank you!