Sciatica

Sciatica 

As an osteopath many people walk into my treatment room and tell me that they have sciatica, but what actually is it?! 

The definition of sciatica is irritation of the sciatic nerve which is formed by the nerve roots of L4-S3: 

The Sciatic nerve

The symptoms of sciatica include:

• Low back pain
• Pain in the area supplied by the sciatic nerve: buttock, back of thigh, back/side of calf, ankle, foot
• Pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the area supplied by the sciatic nerve

Sufferers may not have all of these symptoms and they may not be present in all of the areas supplied by the sciatic nerve. Nerve pain is usually an intense, unremitting, gnawing ache, accompanied by sharp electric shocks on certain movements (so not too pleasant!). 

Causes of sciatica

There are many causes of sciatica however I see these 2 commonly in practice: 

Intervertebral disc herniation/ prolapse

If a disc in the lower part (lumbar) of the spine is herniated or prolapsed (slipped disc) then the injured disc material, or the inflammation created, can press on the nerve roots which supply the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. 

Piriformis syndrome

In some there is an anatomical variation of the piriformis muscle, which lies deep in the gluteal region, where the sciatic nerve actually passes through it. If this is the case then if the piriformis muscle is in a continual contracted state then the sciatic nerve is squeezed or compressed causing irritation. 

When low back pain and leg pain coexist is it always sciatica?

No!

Here are just a hand full of other causes:

• Referral from a lumbar spine joint problem
• Sacro-iliac joint inflammation 
• Irritation of a different nerve
• Muscle pain 

Can osteopaths help with sciatica?

Yes!

If you suffer from what you think is sciatica we can give you a professional diagnosis, treatment and advice that is specific to you - remember no two peoples problem is the same!

Stop living with pain and get in contact!

www.rockinghamforestosteopaths.co.uk

07977367222