Lower Back Pain Vs. Sciatica | Advanced Physiotherapy Treatment At Cb Physiotherapy Delhi

Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems affecting people across all age groups. But sometimes, what feels like “back pain” may actually be sciatica. The two conditions are often confused because of their similar symptoms, yet their causes, severity, and treatments can differ greatly. Understanding the difference between sciatica and regular lower back pain is crucial for getting the right treatment and long-lasting relief.

    At CB Physiotherapy in Delhi, our expert physiotherapists specialize in accurately diagnosing these conditions and providing tailored treatment plans. Let’s break down the differences, causes, and best physiotherapy approaches available.

 

Understanding Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain refers to any discomfort felt in the lumbar region of the spine, which supports much of the body’s weight and flexibility. It may range from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing pain that worsens with certain activities.

 

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

·       Muscle strain or ligament sprain: Sudden movements, heavy lifting, or poor posture can strain the muscles.

·       Poor ergonomics: Sitting for long hours at a desk or incorrect sleeping positions.

·       Degenerative conditions: Such as arthritis or disc degeneration.

·       Sedentary lifestyle: Weak core and back muscles often contribute to recurring pain.

Lower back pain is typically localized—it does not usually radiate far beyond the lower spine area.

 

 

 

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica, on the other hand, is not just “back pain.” It is a specific condition caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body. This nerve starts from the lower spine and runs through the buttocks, back of the thigh, and down to the foot.

 

Symptoms of Sciatica

·       Pain radiating from the lower back down one leg.

·       Burning, tingling, or numbness along the nerve path.

·       Pain that worsens with coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long periods.

 

Common Causes of Sciatica

·       Herniated or slipped disc pressing on the sciatic nerve.

·       Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).

·       Piriformis syndrome where the piriformis muscle compresses the nerve.

·       Injury or trauma to the spine.

·       Unlike general back pain, sciatica has a very distinct nerve-related pain pattern and often affects only one side of the body.

 

Key Differences: Sciatica vs. Lower Back Pain

Feature	Lower Back Pain	Sciatica
Location	Localized to lumbar area	Radiates from back to leg/foot
Type of Pain	Aching, stiffness	Sharp, burning, shooting pain
Numbness/Tingling	Rare	Common along nerve pathway
Aggravating Factors	Prolonged posture, strain	Sitting, coughing, sneezing
Cause	Muscular, joint, or postural issues	Nerve compression or irritation

Understanding these differences can help in early recognition and timely treatment.

 

Why Physiotherapy is the Best Solution

Whether it’s general back pain or sciatica, physiotherapy is a highly effective and non-invasive treatment approach. Instead of masking the symptoms with painkillers, physiotherapy addresses the root cause and helps restore mobility, strength, and function.

 

Benefits of Physiotherapy for Back Pain & Sciatica

·       Pain relief without side effects.

·       Improves flexibility and strength.

·       Corrects posture and movement patterns.

·       Prevents recurrence of the condition.

 

Personalized treatment tailored to your specific cause.

 

CB Physiotherapy: Delivering the Best Physiotherapy Treatments in Delhi

At CB Physiotherapy, we combine evidence-based techniques with modern technology to ensure comprehensive care for patients with sciatica or lower back pain. Our team of experienced physiotherapists follows a structured approach:

1. Accurate Diagnosis

Our physiotherapists conduct a detailed assessment, which includes understanding your pain history, physical examination, and special orthopedic tests. This ensures that we differentiate between simple back pain and nerve-related sciatica.

2. Personalized Treatment Plans

No two patients are the same. Depending on your condition, we create customized treatment plans that may include:

·       Manual therapy for relieving stiffness and improving mobility.

·       Electrotherapy such as IFT, TENS, and ultrasound for pain relief.

·       Therapeutic exercises to strengthen core and back muscles.

·       McKenzie therapy for disc-related issues.

·       Postural training to correct sitting, standing, and sleeping habits.

·       Kinesio Taping for support and pain reduction.

3. Advanced Techniques

CB Physiotherapy is equipped with advanced modalities like CRET therapy, Laser therapy, Shockwave therapy, dry needling, myofascial release, and spinal decompression therapy, which can provide faster relief and long-term recovery.

4. Holistic Approach

We don’t just focus on relieving your pain—we emphasize lifestyle modifications, ergonomic advice, and preventive exercises so that your problem doesn’t return.

 

Why Choose CB Physiotherapy in Delhi?

·       Experienced team of specialized physiotherapists.

·       Multiple clinics across Delhi for easy accessibility.

·       State-of-the-art equipment for advanced care.

·       Patient-centric approach with one-on-one sessions.

·       Proven track record of successful recoveries in back pain and sciatica cases.

While lower back pain and sciatica may feel similar at first, they are very different conditions that require specific treatments. Ignoring symptoms or relying only on painkillers may worsen the problem over time. The key lies in accurate diagnosis and structured physiotherapy treatment.

At CB Physiotherapy in Delhi, we provide comprehensive, modern, and effective solutions for both sciatica and lower back pain. With personalized care and advanced physiotherapy techniques, our goal is to help you recover quickly and return to a pain-free, active life.

       If you’re struggling with back pain or radiating leg pain, don’t wait—book a consultation at CB Physiotherapy today and take the first step toward lasting relief.

 

Back In Action: Treating And Preventing Back Pain By Physiotherapy

 Back pain is a common ailment that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether it's due to a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, or an injury, back pain can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. While various treatment options are available, physiotherapy has emerged as an effective approach for treating and preventing back pain. In this blog, we will delve into the world of physiotherapy and explore how it can help individuals get back in action and alleviate their back pain.

Before we delve into the role of physiotherapy in treating back pain, it's essential to understand the various factors that contribute to it. Back pain can be caused by muscle strains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, poor posture, or even stress. Moreover, factors like obesity, lack of exercise, and sedentary lifestyles can increase the risk of developing back pain. Identifying the root cause of the pain is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Role of Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on using physical techniques to treat injuries, improve mobility, and relieve pain. When it comes to back pain, physiotherapists play a vital role in helping patients regain strength, flexibility, and functionality. They develop personalized treatment plans based on the individual's specific needs and goals. These plans often include a combination of exercises, manual therapy, education, and lifestyle modifications.

Exercise Therapy
One of the key components of physiotherapy for back pain is exercise therapy. Physiotherapists prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine, improve flexibility, and correct postural imbalances. These exercises may include stretching, core strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, and resistance training. Regularly performing these exercises helps to alleviate pain, prevent further injury, and promote overall spinal health.

Manual Therapy
Physiotherapists also employ manual therapy techniques to treat back pain. These techniques include joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and spinal manipulation. Manual therapy helps reduce pain, restore joint mobility, and improve tissue healing. By targeting specific areas of dysfunction, physiotherapists can address underlying musculoskeletal imbalances and provide relief to individuals suffering from back pain.

Education and Lifestyle Modifications
Beyond exercises and manual therapy, physiotherapists educate patients on proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and posture. They provide guidance on how to prevent future episodes of back pain by making necessary modifications to daily activities and work environments. Educating individuals about their condition empowers them to take an active role in their recovery and helps them make informed choices to prevent future back problems.

Preventing Back Pain
Apart from treating back pain, physiotherapy also plays a crucial role in its prevention. Physiotherapists assess an individual's movement patterns, posture, and lifestyle factors to identify potential risk factors for back pain. Through exercise programs, education, and ergonomic advice, physiotherapy helps individuals develop healthy habits and maintain optimal spinal health. By addressing the root causes and making necessary lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing back pain.

Physiotherapy is a powerful tool in the treatment and prevention of back pain. By combining exercises, manual therapy, education, and lifestyle modifications, physiotherapists empower individuals to take control of their back health and get back in action.

 Top 10 Stretching and Strengthening Exercises for Lower Back

Exercises and Physical activity is what makes our body healthy and fit. Inactivity and Immobility is what weakens our abdominal and back muscles thus making them more prone to strain. Stiff muscles put a strain on the vertebrae hence limiting the spine's natural movements. But physiotherapy exercises can help you alleviate tension, reduce pain, and support the spine. Below mentioned are 10 lower back Exercises that can be recommended by a well-trained physiotherapist.

 

Muscles in the low back, buttocks, abdomen, and hips are necessary for stabilizing and supporting the spine. Keeping these muscles active and strong can help minimize back pain and avoid low back injury. Specific exercises should be prescribed based on the individual's needs. These exercises consist of stretching and strengthening, and also include regular aerobic conditioning.

Abdominal Tucks:

This exercise helps with flexibility, improves blood flow, and enhances movement. The abdominal tucks increase the core body temperature. It warms up the muscles across the abdomen, transverse abdominal muscle as well as the supporting tissue of the core.

• The patient lies on the back with both the knees bent and feet flat.
• Place one hand tightly on the abdomen and tighten the abdominal muscles.
• Then pull towards the spine without holding your breath.
• Perform two sets of 10 repetitions.

Core muscles:

The core muscles are the muscles of the abdomen, back, and pelvis. Exercises that stabilize the core are trained first to reduce low back pain. Core marching works these muscles in a pain-free way.

• The patient lies on the back with knees drawn up and feet flat, engaging the abdominal muscles.
• Maintain this pattern, lift one knee toward the chest without using the hands.
• Keep the abdominals engaged until the patient puts the foot back in the starting position.
• Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Lumbar Extensors:

The posture helps to ease pain and improves overall flexibility. The child pose stretches the low back muscles, as well as the lumbar extensors. This simple stretching exercise is ideal for opening up the lower back and alleviating pain.

• Kneel on the floor and sit on the heels.
• Bend forward with the arms extended in front until the forehead rests on the floor.
• Hold this position for 30 seconds, or as long as the relief is felt from the stretch.

Hip Adductors

• The patient attains a standing position, placing the inside of the ankle on a table or bed.
• Bring the opposite arm straight up next to the ear.
• Lean into the stretching leg and hold this position for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Repeat on each side 3 times.

Hamstrings

• Stand by facing the bed or table.
• Place the back of the heel on the surface so that the leg is straight.
• Lean forward at the hips to stretch the hamstring.
• Hold for 30 seconds and relax.
• Repeat 3 times on each side.

Bird dog hip Extension:

This exercise helps to stabilize the lower back and also the abdominals.

• The patient begins on the hands and knees, shoulders over hands and hips over knees
• Slowly stretch one arm and the opposite leg straight out e.g. right arm, left leg, or vice versa.
• Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds and bring the limbs slowly down.
• Repeat 15 to 20 times, each time.

Bridging

• The patient begins by lying on a mat on the floor with knees up and feet flat in a comfortable space away from the hips.
• Keep the arms on the floor, and lift the hips off the ground to make a bridge Maintain a straight line from the chest to the knees.
• Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, keep the shoulder blades and neck on the ground, glutes, and abdominals engaged the whole time.
• Slowly bring down the hips to the floor.
• Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Side-to-Side

• The patient lies on the back with the feet pulled toward the hips and the knees up.
• Twist the knees gently to one side and stop when the patient feels that the hips start to come off the table or mat. Keep the upper body in position.
• Bring the knees back the other way and do the same thing on the other side.
• Repeat 25 to 30 times.

Press-ups:

• The patient lies flat on the stomach, brings the elbows to the sides, and places the hands just above the shoulders. The legs should be fully extended, hips with the mat or floor.
• Pull the shoulder blades back and lift the chest off the ground.
• Hold for 5 seconds, making sure that the legs and hips stay in contact with the floor or mat. The neck should stay long and in line with the upper spine the entire time.
• Slowly return the chest to the ground.
• Repeat 15 to 20 times.

Prone Cobras

• The patient lies flat on the stomach with the legs extended, arms at the sides, and hands pressed to the legs.
• Then lifts the chest off the ground, without using the hands, keeping the neck in line. Pull the shoulder blades in and flex the glutes throughout.
• Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds before slowly lowering the upper body back to the mat or floor.
• Repeat 10 to 15 times.

 

Back pain usually goes away without surgery or too much effort. Sometimes there's nothing you can do to avoid back pain, but physiotherapy treatment is one of the best ways to live a life free of back pain.

This Article was first Published at CB Physiotherapy