Sciatica
Sciatica is characterised by pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs. Commonly pain and numbness are located at the calf, foot, or back of the thigh. This is usually preceded for a few weeks by lower back pain. Eventually the leg pain becomes worse than the back pain. Pain can either be dull and aching or can be a shooting pain down the leg all the way to the toes. This pain can last for several days or weeks or it can subside for even a few hours. However, someone who has had sciatica for a long period of time will find that the pain localises in the buttock and thigh. In severe cases it can damage nerves and reflexes or cause the calf muscle to deteriorate. All patients are unique with their pain and presentation.
While the diagnosis of sciatica is reasonably simple, the primary cause of your sciatica may require further investigations to eliminate or confirm its origin. It is also important to determine how significant your sciatic nerve has been compressed.
Pressure on the Sciatic nerve can result from a number of reasons including:
• Tightness of the piriformis muscle • in the buttock that compresses the Sciatic Nerve
• Spinal/vertebral dysfunction
• Herniated disc, disc prolapse
• Osteoarthritis
• Poor posture – prolonged sitting, poor mattress
Poor lifting technique and poor bending habits
• Spinal compressions due to osteoporosis
Osteopathy has an essential role both for the acute episode as well as long term avoidance of further episodes. Typical sciatica treatments include:
• Gentle Spinal mobilisation of the lower lumbar spine to help relieve pain and improve function
• Release of muscle spasm
• Traction of Lumbar spine manually
• Massage to help reduce muscle tension and pain and improve blood flow
• Trigger point/ dry needling,
• Acupuncture promotes healing and pain relief
• Hot and cold packs to reduce pain and stiffness
• Advice in relation to how to minimise pressure and irritation of the sciatic  nerve – teaching correct postural techniques, and exercises to correct any muscle imbalance in the spine
• Posture supports, lumbar roll
Exercise prescription to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your back, shoulders, and stomach to help increase your flexibility, strength, and balance. The Osteopath may teach you an exercise program so you can do it at home.
- Patient education – self-management techniques will ultimately help you to achieve your goal of safely returning to your previous sporting or leisure activities without sciatica.
- Rehabilitation is very important to prevent the pain from becoming chronic.Many patients are relieved from their sciatica after a 4 to 5 visits and some patients benefit in maintaining care regularly because it keeps their bodies in optimum condition.Osteopaths are a key healthcare professional to treat Sciatica. If you are suffering from sciatica seek help early, the longer delay in starting the treatment, the longer time it takes to recover.
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