SCIATICA
- Sciatica is a term that describes symptoms in the buttock and/or leg that is derived from the sciatic nerve.
- The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that is made up of other nerves coming from your lower back. This nerve traverses down the leg and splits off into various branches behind the knee. The nerve itself is like a thick band and pierces through certain muscles.
a)b)c)
- The source of the sciatica is important to diagnose as this will help you to better manage the symptoms.
- The most common sites that may irritate the sciatic nerve;
- The lumbar discs (L4/5 L5/S1 most commonly at these levels) (B Herniated disc)
- Lumbar joint degeneration (bony spurs can put pressure on the nerve) (B Bone Spurs)
- Piriformis muscle (The sciatic nerve pierces this muscle at the buttock level) (C)
- Other sources of leg pain may also be muscle referral
- Trigger points are hypersensitive taught bands of muscle that refer pain to different areas. Commonly the glute medius, minimus and piriformis cause sciatica symptoms.
- Depending on the cause of your sciatica, your Chiropractor will give you exercises and advice to best manage your symptoms.