Back pain breakthrough? study tests combo therapy for sciatica

This study looked at whether adding physical therapy (like heat, ultrasound, and TENS) to a standard steroid injection helps people with back and leg pain caused by a herniated disc. 76 adults with pain lasting more than 3 months were split into two groups: one got only the injection plus home exercises, the other got the injection plus 10 sessions of physical therapy. Researchers measured pain, disability, and mood at the start, 1 hour after injection, and at 1 and 3 months to see if the combo offered extra relief.