As we embrace the new year, if you’re experiencing sciatica pain, there are several effective treatment options to consider. The first step is to consult with your physiotherapist, who may recommend hydrotherapy as a pain-relieving treatment. At Wellmed Multi-Specialty Center, Hydrotherapy treatment in Bahrain is one of the top priorities available to help reduce discomfort and promote healing, offering you a soothing and therapeutic approach to managing sciatica symptoms.
Here, we’ll discuss the advantages of hydrotherapy for sciatica, how it works, and some exercises you might do if you see a physiotherapist.
Advantages of Hydrotherapy
One type of treatment that uses water for therapeutic purposes is hydrotherapy. Unlike swimming, hydrotherapy typically takes place in a pool with water maintained at a warmer temperature, usually between 33°C and 36°C, offering a soothing and healing environment for the body.
Hydrotherapy also includes specific exercises performed in the water, distinct from regular recreational swimming. These exercises are typically guided by a physiotherapist and focus on slow, controlled movements, taking advantage of the buoyancy in the pool to support the body and enhance movement.
In fact, swimming skills are not required for hydrotherapy. The hydrotherapy pools are shallow, typically reaching only up to chest height for most individuals. For added safety, a physiotherapist will be present with you throughout the session, ensuring proper guidance and support.
Key advantages of hydrotherapy are:
- Water provides joint support by buoyantly holding your body weight, which helps reduce pain and enhances your flexibility and range of motion.
- The warm water promotes muscle relaxation, alleviating joint pain and enhancing performance even after the hydrotherapy session ends.
- When you push your body through the water, use mild resistance to help tone your muscles.
Hydrotherapy is a useful treatment for anyone who has chronic pain, is recuperating from an injury, or needs a mild type of physiotherapy, even though it is frequently used by elderly patients with joint pain.
It’s important to note that hydrotherapy may not be suitable if you have:
- High or low blood pressure
- Breathing difficulties
- A kidney condition requiring dialysis
- Angina or heart problems
- Incontinence
- A wound or skin condition
- A virus
- An elevated temperature
Otherwise, hydrotherapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment option that can assist in managing a range of conditions and injuries.
Hydrotherapy for Sciatica Relief
Sciatica occurs when a herniated disc or bone spur in the lower spine puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, which extends from the lower back down to the legs. This pressure results in pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, affecting one or both legs.
Common symptoms experienced with sciatica include:
- Pain is either achy, shooting or burning
- Sensations may also include tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in tendon reflexes
- Back or lower back pain that travels across the knee and occasionally into the foot and toes
Although you might engage in non-water-based exercises with a physiotherapist to alleviate sciatica pain, and it’s common to take medication for chronic discomfort, hydrotherapy for sciatica also offers numerous advantages
Sciatica relief through hydrotherapy occurs by:
- Maintaining your weight while performing exercises designed to alleviate sciatica
- To assist ease nerve discomfort, try relaxing the muscles in your legs, lower back, and surrounding spine.
- The gentle resistance of the water helps to strengthen muscles and enhance mobility, providing relief from sciatica pain through low-impact exercise.
Is hydrotherapy effective for sciatica relief?
Yes, water therapy is beneficial for sciatica relief.
Physical therapy can be highly effective in reducing inflammation and pain associated with sciatica. It helps enhance physical function and lowers the chances of sciatica symptoms reoccurring. However, it’s important to note that physical therapy may also lead to some discomfort, as certain exercises can place pressure on your joints.
Because hydrotherapy lessens the strain on your joints while allowing you to continue physical therapy, it can help with sciatica.
Under the guidance of your physical therapist or physiotherapist, hydrotherapy helps tone the muscles that support your joints by using the water’s mild resistance. Additionally, buoyancy will lessen the otherwise excessive strain on your back.
What water workouts are recommended for sciatica relief?
The best water exercises for sciatica include:
- Knee Lifts
- Water Workout
- Swimming
- Water Walking
Swimming is likely the most straightforward hydrotherapy exercise to help alleviate sciatica symptoms. However, it may differ from the typical swimming you’re accustomed to. Your physiotherapist will guide you through specific strokes designed to target and improve your sciatica condition.
Another hydrotherapy exercise that can help with sciatica is water walking. Walking through water relieves joint pressure while enhancing stability and balance, all of which can aid with sciatica.
Knee lifts assist in loosening the lower back and hamstrings in the water, reducing sciatica discomfort.
Water exercises also referred to as water aerobics, can be helpful for individuals experiencing sciatica pain. These workouts allow you to strengthen muscles without adding extra weight or pressure on your sciatic nerve.
Hydrotherapy for sciatica can also involve just relaxing in a hot tub and letting the hot water relax your muscles and relieve your sciatic nerve pain, even if these water workout examples are more energetic in nature.
Hydrotherapy treatment in Bahrain will be tailored to your specific needs under the guidance of your physiotherapist. At Wellmed Multi-Specialty Center, all necessary details will be provided during your first consultation and throughout subsequent sessions. Your physiotherapist will determine the most effective exercises and ensure you’re informed about the process to help alleviate your sciatica symptoms and promote recovery.