Ouch! Pain in your lower back travelling down your legs, even to your toes? That pain may be sciatica. Sciatica is defined when pain travels down from the back, through the buttock, back of the leg and down to your toes. This can be in the form of numbness, pins & needles or shooting pain. Commonly it is only felt down one leg. Sciatica can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, injury and overuse. Treatment options vary depending on the specific condition and will be tailored to the individual, we will provide hands-on treatment and exercises to target the affected area and suggest ways to prevent sciatica in the future.
How Can We Help With Sciatica?
Osteopathy, which combines manual therapy with gentle exercises, can help relieve the symptoms of sciatica. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends a combination of manual therapy and exercises for the treatment of sciatica.
At Body Beliefs, we take a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on the diagnoses, treatment and prevention of sciatica. We will gather information about your symptoms, relevant health and medical history, how the pain is impacting your daily activities and consider any ergonomic or environmental influences. We will then conduct a thorough osteopathic assessment and examination. It is vital that at Body beliefs we do a full orthopaedic and neurological exam to determine the cause of the irritated or 'trapped' sciatic nerve. This enables us to clearly explain what your back pain problem is, and why it happened. We will then provide specialist, hands-on treatment, and offer exercises and advice to accelerate your recovery and prevent the problem from returning.
The Possible Causes of Sciatica?
Sciatica can stem from common activities at home or work and can gradually develop over time. There are many reasons why your sciatic nerve might be 'trapped' or irritated and causing your pain, including:
- Herniated or 'Slipped' Disc - A herniated disc in the lower back can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain and other symptoms. it is critical to remember that your discs do not "slip".
- Nerve Root Irritation - Irritation to the nerve root, through muscle spasm, facet joint lock or irritations.
- Piriformis syndrome - Tightness or spasms in the piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttocks, can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
What Are the Symptoms Of Sciatica?
Symptoms of sciatica can vary depending on the underlying cause of the condition. Some common symptoms include:
- Low back pain: Pain can range from mild to severe and may be felt in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. Can be described as stabbing, burning or shooting.
- Numbness or tingling: The sciatic nerve can be compressed or irritated, causing numbness or tingling in the legs, feet, or toes.
- Weakness: The sciatic nerve can also be affected, causing weakness in the legs or feet.
- Difficulty walking: Sciatica can make it difficult to walk or stand.
- Pain during sitting: You may feel pain in your calf, or hamstring while sitting
How Do We Treat Sciatica?
When it comes to treating sciatica, we at Body Beliefs use a variety of techniques to help alleviate pain and improve function. These may include physical manipulation of the spine and other joints, mobilisation, stretching, soft tissue massage, and exercises to improve strength and flexibility. We will work closely with you to identify any underlying causes of the pain and address them through hands-on treatment, lifestyle changes and advice.
At Body Beliefs, we pride ourselves on "exceeding expectations", as evidenced by the glowing 5-star reviews from our satisfied patients on platforms such as Google Reviews and Facebook. To schedule an appointment, please book online or call 01277 676 676.
