Sciatica Treatment in Fresno: What to Expect

First, what's actually going on

Sciatica isn't really a diagnosis. It's a symptom — something is irritating the sciatic nerve, or the nerve roots in your low back that feed into it. One common cause is a disc bulging where it shouldn't. Another is narrowing of the space in the spine, which becomes more common with age. Sometimes muscles or other structures in the hip are involved instead.

Why does that distinction matter to you? Because different patterns may call for different care. A first visit looks at how you move, which positions change your symptoms, and whether the findings suggest that you should also be evaluated by a physician.

Please don't take to your bed

We understand the instinct. When your leg screams every time you move, not moving feels like wisdom.

General guidance encourages people with low back pain or sciatica to continue tolerable normal activity and avoid prolonged bed rest. The right amount and type of movement still depend on your symptoms and evaluation.

Gently is the operative word. This is not advice to push through severe or worsening symptoms at the gym.

What physical therapy may involve

There is no single sciatica protocol. Depending on the evaluation, a plan may include specific movements, hands-on care, education, and progressive exercise. We adjust the plan based on how your symptoms and function respond.

You may also receive a home program. Following the agreed plan can support progress between visits, and your therapist can adjust it when an exercise is not working for you.

How long does it take?

The honest answer is that recovery time varies. After your evaluation, we'll discuss reasonable milestones based on the findings and your goals. If progress differs from what we expect, we re-evaluate the plan and recommend physician involvement when appropriate.

The rare emergencies — please read this part

A small number of cases are not physical-therapy problems, at least not first. If you notice numbness around your groin or the area you'd sit on a saddle, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or leg weakness that's getting worse by the day — go to the emergency room. Now, not Monday. Those signs can mean serious nerve compression, and time matters. Don't call us first; we'll be here after.

If you're in Fresno and your leg is talking to you

We encourage all patients to have a doctor's referral before starting physical therapy. Requirements vary by insurance plan, so call us with your insurance card to confirm any authorization or documentation steps before scheduling. At your evaluation, we look at how symptoms affect movement and function, then explain a plan based on what we find.