What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the name given to pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain can range from mild to severe. The sciatic nerve begins in the buttock region, and is the coming together of 5 separate nerves exiting from the lumbar spine and sacrum; so, the sciatic nerve, technically speaking, can’t exit from the spine because it hasn’t been formed at that point. Sciatica arises mostly from 2 causes:
- An intervertebral disc pressing on one of the nerves which make up the sciatic nerve – depending on the extent of the injury, the words commonly used to describe this are bulge, herniation and prolapse.
2. A tight piriformis muscle placing too much pressure on the sciatic nerve itself.
This condition is more accurately called piriformis syndrome
A disc injury may occur seemingly for no reason, or there can be a specific event, such as a lifting injury involving bending forward and twisting at the same time. People often walk with a limp and lean to one side i.e. on the “good leg”. There is often pain/tingling/pins & needles in the back of the thigh, calf region, and sometimes into the foot too. There may be weakness in the affected leg/foot/toes. Sometimes the pain in the lower back is mild in comparison with the pain the leg.
Treatment
MRI scans have shown that, in most cases, the herniated part of the disc shrinks back over time. This is called resorption. Most people are completely better after 2 years, even if they receive not treatment. So, there is a natural healing taking place. There are all sorts of treatments available for sciatica – how do you know what’s best, and will any form of treatment help? Surgery for disc herniations used to be performed routinely – nowadays it is very rarely performed because research has shown that the results are no better in the long run. So, what can osteopathy offer a patient with a disc injury? Just as with other conditions, osteopathic treatment is focused around improving the blood supply to the region, allowing better drainage from the affected area. Treatment has the objective of harnessing the body’s own healing mechanisms so as to reduce pain and accelerate the healing process. My own approach is to use a gentle, rhythmic approach called harmonics, along with a combination of stretching, working with the muscles, and freeing up other areas of the spine which are restricted. Reassurance and advice to the patient are also key to the recovery process.
Tips for dealing with Sciatica (as expected!) this does not constitute medical advice
1. Movement, in principle, is a good thing e.g. walking. Don’t lie down all the time.
2. Try putting a pillow between your knees if you lie on your side at night.
3. Try lying on the floor rather than the sofa if you’re watching tv.
4. If you lie on your back, try 2-4 pillows under your knees.
5. AT ALL COSTS avoid bending forward and twisting to the side.
6. If you have to cough, make sure you don’t twist at the same time.
BPPV and Epley manoeuvre
BPPV and Epley manoeuvre The Epley manoeuvre is a highly effective treatment for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common cause of vertigo. (By way of explanation, the word benign means good
Frozen shoulder
Frozen shoulder explained: what is it? what causes it? how long does it last? How SuttonOsteo can help your Frozen shoulder.
Is Government advice on burnt food misguided?
Government guidelines on burnt toast are a distraction
Pranayama yoga breathing workshop
A wonderful Sunday workshop on pranayama breathing with yoga and meditation teacher, Billy Doyle.
Why the mid-Victorians lived such long and healthy lives
The mid-Victorians, far from living short, brutish lives, enjoyed better health and longer lives than we do