Sciatica
Sciatica is a symptom not a diagnosis. It is commonly construed as a diagnosis; however, the term refers to symptoms of pain radiating downward from the buttock over the back or side of the leg, which can run all the way to the big toe. It is usually assumed to be caused by compression of a nerve but this is not always the case.
The reason that this term is used is due to the fact that it is the sciatic nerve that is responsible for these regions of the buttock and leg. A common neurological cause of this pain is entrapment of the sciatic nerve; however, the pain may be caused by trigger points in the soft tissue. This latter case is often overlooked and requires hands on investigation by an osteopath of the musculature associated with the hip if the pain is not to be misdiagnosed.
There are many possible causes of sciatica, commonly it is thought to involve irritation of the nerve at its root, where it exits the spine. This can be brought about by a disc injury (referred to as “slipped” disc). This means one of the discs, which lie between each of the vertebra in the lower back, has become injured and some of the inner disk material has protruded out and is pressing on the sciatic nerve. Having said this, some people have been found to have a “slipped” disc but have no pain. There are other possible causes ranging from a rough and enlarged part of one of the vertebrae brought about by ageing, the joint between the pelvis and spine (sacroiliac joints) being involved, infections and tumours but by and large the most common cause is soft tissue tension. For example, as the sciatic nerve passes through the buttock it goes through or under a muscle called the 'Piriformis'. Sustained tension in this muscle can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve and possibly the dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint
If suffering from this condition it is best to keep active if you can and avoid any activity which will put pressure on your lower back. It is important to consult an osteopath in order to identify the cause of the sciatica and to enable the most appropriate treatment. This is particularly important if you experience the pain following a violent injury (e.g. road traffic accident or fall), or the pain is constant and worsening. This also applies if you have had cancer in the past or at present, or if you are on steroids and have taken them over a long period, if you are generally unwell in yourself, or you have lost significant weight recently, or if you have developed a number of problems in your nervous system (e.g. numbness, loss of power, tingling).
To find an osteopath to help you, follow the link below:
Sciatica
The reason that this term is used is due to the fact that it is the sciatic nerve that is responsible for these regions of the buttock and leg. A common neurological cause of this pain is entrapment of the sciatic nerve; however, the pain may be caused by trigger points in the soft tissue. This latter case is often overlooked and requires hands on investigation by an osteopath of the musculature associated with the hip if the pain is not to be misdiagnosed.
There are many possible causes of sciatica, commonly it is thought to involve irritation of the nerve at its root, where it exits the spine. This can be brought about by a disc injury (referred to as “slipped” disc). This means one of the discs, which lie between each of the vertebra in the lower back, has become injured and some of the inner disk material has protruded out and is pressing on the sciatic nerve. Having said this, some people have been found to have a “slipped” disc but have no pain. There are other possible causes ranging from a rough and enlarged part of one of the vertebrae brought about by ageing, the joint between the pelvis and spine (sacroiliac joints) being involved, infections and tumours but by and large the most common cause is soft tissue tension. For example, as the sciatic nerve passes through the buttock it goes through or under a muscle called the 'Piriformis'. Sustained tension in this muscle can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve and possibly the dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint
If suffering from this condition it is best to keep active if you can and avoid any activity which will put pressure on your lower back. It is important to consult an osteopath in order to identify the cause of the sciatica and to enable the most appropriate treatment. This is particularly important if you experience the pain following a violent injury (e.g. road traffic accident or fall), or the pain is constant and worsening. This also applies if you have had cancer in the past or at present, or if you are on steroids and have taken them over a long period, if you are generally unwell in yourself, or you have lost significant weight recently, or if you have developed a number of problems in your nervous system (e.g. numbness, loss of power, tingling).
To find an osteopath to help you, follow the link below:
Sciatica
