Sciatica & Manual Osteopathy

Sciatica or Sciatic pain is a common issue many of my patients deal with, and manual osteopathy is a great way to relieve the pain and help heal the affected area. People suffering from sciatica usually recover without surgery and 90% of the time manual therapy and exercise can resolve the issue. 

Sciatica is back pain caused by issues in the sciatic nerve, this large nerve travels from the lower back down to the back of each leg. Injury and pressure on the nerve can cause pain radiating from the lower back, hip, and legs.

The most common symptoms of sciatica are numbness, weakness and tingling feeling on the leg, lasting for days to weeks. Most Canadians experience sciatica pain and lower back pain on a daily basis, it feels like a bad cramp that lasts for days. 

Most people between the ages of 30 to 50 usually suffer from sciatic pain. If an individual suffers from herniated disk and arthritis of the spine, they are likely to suffer from sciatica. Women often develop problems during pregnancy because of pressure on the sciatic nerve from the developing uterus. 

Herniated disk: The most common cause of sciatica, disks provide cushioning between vertebrae in the spine. As we age disks become weaker and are susceptible to injury. Weak muscles and excess strain on the spine can lead to herniation. Herniation leads to excess pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain and irritation. 

Piriformis syndrome: Piriformis is a muscle found deep inside the hip, it connects the lower spine to the femur (thigh bone). If this muscle goes into a spasm it can put pressure on the nerve, causing pain during various hip movements. Women often suffer from piriformis syndrome during pregnancy making them prone to sciatic pain.
Uneven wallet positioning can also trigger piriformis syndrome. Men carrying their wallet in their hind pockets apply uneven pressure on the hip, this aggravates the muscles and leads to chronic sciatica. 

Stenosis: Injuries of the vertebrae can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal, referred to as spinal stenosis. The narrowing puts pressure on the roots of the sciatic nerve causing numbness and tingling pain. 

Tumors, injuries, and infections can also cause sciatic induced pain. Anytime you feel any sciatic symptoms it is recommended to get it looked at by a health practitioner. Manual Osteopathy can help mobilize the pelvic region and stretch important muscle fascia to relieve excess pressure and pain.