Osteopathy For Sciatica

Are you eperiencing shooting pain in your buttocks or down the back of your legs? Are finding it difficult to sitting, stand or walk? Then you may be suffering from sciatica.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a condition but a symptom and relates to irriation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve. The classic symptom of sciatica is a shooting pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve, which can starts from the lower back, the buttock and down the back of either leg and even to the feet. Other common symptoms of sciatica include weakness, or numbness, often accompanied by tingling sensations such as pins and needles along the nerve. These symptoms range from mild to severe.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a condition, but a symptom is caused by irriation or compression of the sciatic nerve. It tends to arise from these main areas:-

Disc herniations where the disc have been injured through injury or overuse creating pressure on the nerve. This is the most common that I see in practice.
Joint Inflammation due to osteoarthritis
Age related changes in the lumbar spine caused by conditions spinal stenosis leading to narrowing of the spinal canal (the space between the joints in the spine where the nerve exits.)
Glutes and piriformis which have become tight leading to irriation of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica orginates 90% of the time from the lower back, however, other risk factors may include being overweight, inactivity and being unfit, pregnancy or if you suffer from diabetes.

How Osteopathic Treatment Helps Sciatica?

Osteopathic treatment has been shown to be very effective in treating sciatica. Following a thorough examination we will determine what is causing your sciatic pain as our aim is allows to find the root cause of the problem. Depending on the cause, the patient’s individual needs, and the severity of the condition, we use a variety of techniques to help relieve sciatica symptoms, such a spinal and soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilisation. These techniques help to remove any restrictions in the spine and pelvis that may be irriating and creating pressure on the nerve. This helps to reduce pain, improve joint mobility and increase the range of movement.

Managing Sciatica at Home

Every patient is unique and our aim as osteopaths is to get a good understanding as to why patients have sciatic. We discuss your lifestyle and habits which may be a causing factor ie occupation, prolonged sitting, leisure/sporting activities.

Ice or Cold Therapy. This therapy helps to reduce inflammation and reduce sciatic pain.

Keep Moving – This will help to increase blood flow into the areas and reduce inflammation and spasm in the muscle. A gentle work around the house or around the block for about 5 mins is great or whatever you can cope with without too much pain.

Exercise and Stretches. We may recommend some exercises to treat sciatica to help prevent future injuries and reoccurance. This will help to improve your flexibility and strengthen the muscles in your back. This often depends on the patient’s individual needs, the severity of the condition, and lifestyle and habits.

Note: In a situation where your sciatica symptoms get suddenly worse, loss of bowel or bladder control, you should seek appropriate medical advice immediately.

How can I help?

Sciatica pain can be painful and debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have been suffering with shooting pain and discomfort, osteopathic treatment can help. Although home remedies and over-the-counter pain medication might provide temporary relief, it doesn’t address the root cause and the symptoms may keep reoccurring.

Bedford osteopath Wini Thomas aims to provide fast, lasting pain relief by identifying the cause and help promote healing so that you can get back to your everyday activities, free from discomfort and pain free.

Contact me today to book an appointment and free yourself from pain.