Sciatica Physical Therapy - California Accident Victims

Understanding the Condition

How Car Accidents Cause Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower spine through the buttock and down the leg. Car accident trauma can herniate the L4-L5 or L5-S1 discs, compressing the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. The sudden axial compressive load during a crash - particularly rear-end collisions where the spine is compressed and then hyperextended - is a recognized mechanism for lumbar disc herniation. Piriformis syndrome, where the piriformis muscle goes into spasm after trauma and compresses the sciatic nerve at the hip, is another common post-accident cause. Symptoms include shooting or burning pain down the buttock and leg, numbness in the foot, and weakness in the hip or knee.

Dynamic Physical Therapy & Acupuncture provides specialized lumbar disc rehabilitation at our Glendale, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills clinics. Our physical therapists and acupuncturists use an evidence-based multimodal approach that consistently achieves better outcomes than single-modality care.

We accept personal injury medical liens and provide detailed neurological documentation of sciatic nerve involvement for your personal injury attorney.