Symptoms:
May include low back and leg sensory abnormalities, such as pain (sharp, shooting, achy), numbness, tingling, burning, cold; and muscular abnormalities, such as muscle spasms, tension, difficulty flexing, weakness, restlessness.

Who’s affected:
Vast majority will experience symptoms at some point in their lives, regardless of age, activity levels, body sizes, or jobs; Most people experience symptoms after an increase in overall physical activity, especially after rest from a different injury.

Recovery time:
Most people recover from an exacerbation in 4-8 weeks, but it can last longer if frequently irritated, and often recurs. PT can teach what to avoid and how to be preventative.

PT approach:
Movement based recovery, of increasing complexity of pain free exercises until you have returned to your desired activity levels.

Should I see a doctor?
It’s always important to update your doctor about your health, some insurances require it to start PT. You should go to urgent care for any intolerable pain or if any muscles stop working. Direct access to PT is becoming more common.