Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain – sciatica – is a particular type of pain experienced when the sciatic nerve is compressed, either by an injury or due to inflammation nearby. Sciatic pain often affects the lower back, gluteal region and various areas of the leg and foot. Often the symptoms effect only on one side of the body.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica can be caused by a disc herniation, compression of the lumbar nerve roots, spinal stenosis and/or entrapment of the sciatic nerve along its path from the lumbar spine down the leg.
Typical Sciatica Symptoms
The sciatic nerve is a very long nerve that extends from the hips down the back of the leg, to the heels. Sciatica symptoms vary depending on just where the sciatic nerve is impinged or restricted. Symptoms include:
- Pain when you sneeze or cough
- Pins and needles in your legs
- Burning or tingling down the leg
- Pain in the back of the leg that gets worse when sitting
- A continuous, constant pain on one side of the buttocks and leg
- Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
- A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up
- Pain that feels like a bad leg cramp, but which can last for weeks
Treatment
Osteopaths are very experienced in treating sciatica. Treatment approaches may include:
- Osteopathic mobilisation and manipulation
- Soft tissue release techniques
- Postural advice
- Sciatica relief
