Sciatica Treatment & Advice

Sciatica Treatment & Advice

Piriformis syndrome, otherwise known as sciatica is a neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle, causing pain, tingling and numbness in the buttock(s) and along the sciatic nerve distribution. In 15% of the population the sciatic nerve passes through the piriformis muscle, rather than underneath it. These people have been reported by some studies to have a greater incidence of piriformis syndrome than the rest of the general population.

Symptoms of sciatica: Pins and needles, numbness and weakness in the buttock(s) +/- lower back pain running down the leg(s) into the sole/dorsum of the foot/feet. The pain may also become worse with increased intrathecal pressure, i.e. Coughing, sneezing or passing bowels/urination.

Causes of sciatica: Inactive gluteal muscles which may facilitate development of the sciatica syndrome. These are important in both hip extension and in aiding the piriformis in external rotation of the femur. A major cause for inactive gluteals is unwanted reciprocal inhibition from overactive hip flexors, (psoas major, iliacus, and rectus femoris). This imbalance usually occurs where the hip flexors are too short and tight, for example by sitting down all day at work. This deprives the gluteals of activation, burdening the synergists to the gluteals, i.e. The hamstrings, adductors and piriformis to perform extra roles which they were not designed to do. Resulting hypertrophy of the piriformis then produces the typical sciatica symptoms.

Runners, bicyclists and other athletes engaging in forward-moving activities are also particularly susceptible to developing the sciatica syndrome if they do not engage in stretching and leg/back strengthening exercises. When not balanced by lateral movement of the legs, repeated forward movements can lead to disproportionately weak hip abductors and tight adductors. Thus, disproportionately weak hip abductors/gluteus medius muscles combined with tight adductor muscles can cause the piriformis muscle to shorten and severely contract.

Upon a 40% increase in piriformis size, sciatic nerve impingment is inevitable. This means that the abductors on the outside cannot function properly and increased strain is thereby put on the piriformis muscle. The result of the piriformis muscle spasm can be impingement of not only the sciatic nerve but also the pudendal nerve. The pudendal nerve controls the muscles of the bowels and bladder. Symptoms of pudendal nerve entrapment include tingling and numbness in the groin and saddle areas which may lead to urinary and fecal incontinence. When piriformis syndrome is caused by weak abductors combined with tight adductors, a highly effective and easy treatment plan by The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath – Chelsea Osteopaths – Harrow Osteopaths – Wembley Osteopaths includes stretching and strengthening these muscle groups. An exercise regimen targeting the gluteus medius and hip adductor muscle groups can alleviate symptoms of piriformis syndrome within days.

Another purported cause for the sciatica syndrome is stiffness, or hypomobility of the sacroiliac joints. The resulting compensatory changes in gait then result in piriformis tightness/spasm to protect the joint and support the body. This may include some of the gluteal muscles as well, resulting not only in piriformis malfunction but other low back pain syndromes as well.

Sciatica syndrome can also be caused by over pronation of the feet, as reported by The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath – Chelsea Osteopaths – Harrow Osteopaths – Wembley Osteopaths. When a foot over pronates, it causes the knee to turn medially (inwards), causing the piriformis to activiate to prevent over rotation of the knee. This then causes over activation of the piriformis muscle and subsequent compression of the sciatica nerve.

Piriformis syndrome is also most frequently associated with a traumatic injury, for example, falling on your buttocks. Approximately 50% of patients with piriformis syndrome have a history of trauma, according to The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath – Chelsea Osteopaths – Harrow Osteopaths – Wembley Osteopaths, with either a direct buttock contusion or a hip/lower back torsional injury. The remaining 50% of cases are of spontaneous onset, so the treating practitioner must  have a high index of suspicion for the problem, lest it be overlooked.

Other causes of sciatica include:

• Pressure caused by spinal stenosis, (decrease in the vertebral space).
• Pressure due to Isthmic spondylolisthes, (forward movement of a vertebrae over another).
• Pressure caused by a herniated or bulging disc due to lifting, i.e. Sciatic nerve irritation by inflammatory discal fluid.
• Direct pressure from a wallet, or sitting on a hard surface, for example, a toilet for a prolonged period of time.

Treatment: Back Pain, Sciatica, Piriformis Syndrome. Treatment At Chelsea Osteopaths_Harrow Osteopaths_Wembley Osteopaths by The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath. Regulated: Osteopath in Chelsea_Osteopath in Harrow_Osteopath in Wembley – The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath. How Back Pain – Lower Back Pain – Sciatica – Piriformis Syndrome is treated at Chelsea Osteopaths – Harrow Osteopathic Clinic – Wembley Osteopaths by The Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath. Most patients may find relief from pain and discomfort associated with sciatica through conservative treatments and hot/cold therapy. Patients should speak with the Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath – Osteopath in Chelsea – Osteopath in Harrow – Osteopath in Wembley to learn about a variety of treatment methods and prevention techniques to find a plan tailored to suit their own specific needs.

If you are in Extreme Pain and suspect Sciatica, then call the Sports Injuries Specialist – Registered Osteopath – Chelsea Osteopaths -Harrow Osteopathic Clinic – Wembley Osteopaths for exceptional results immediately:

Zahir Chaudhary, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), ND, M Ost.Med.

Email: emergencyosteopath@gmail.com

Call: 0208 423 6209; 0792 100 4705

Web: https://www.sportsinjuriesspecialist.co.uk

CHELSEA OSTEOPATHS, 208 FULHAM ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON. SW10 9PJ.

HARROW OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC, 9 LITTLETON ROAD, HARROW, MIDDLESEX. HA1 3SY.

WEMBLEY OSTEOPATHS, 31 NORVAL ROAD, NORTH WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX. HA0 3TD.

DAVID LLOYD SUDBURY HILL OSTEOPATHS, GREENFORD RD, EALING. UB6 0HX.

FITNESS FIRST ALPERTON OSTEOPATHS, 197 EALING ROAD, THE ATLIP CENTRE, ALPERTON, WEMBLEY, MIDDLESEX. HA0 4LW.