Is It Sciatica?

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica is defined by pain that starts in your lower back and extends down your buttocks, thigh, calf, and sometimes into your foot and toes. This pain can manifest with varying intensity and qualities, spanning from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations, or even a feeling of numbness, burning, or pins and needles. The specific nature of the pain often offers insights into its underlying causes.

 

Identifying the Causes of Sciatica

The root causes of sciatica are diverse, with some of the most common culprits that we see clinically being disc herniations in the spine, particularly at the L5/S1 level, muscle entrapment of the sciatic nerve by the Piriformis muscle in the hip, and referred pain originating from trigger point knots in the gluteal and lower back muscles. In many cases, multiple causes can overlap, especially when an individual has been dealing with sciatica for an extended period. This underscores the importance of a thorough assessment before embarking on sciatica treatment.

What Can You Do?

Sciatica often reacts sensitively to certain positions and movements. In light of this, it can be advantageous to avoid specific positional triggers to help the pain subside.

One key recommendation for individuals suffering from sciatica is to steer clear of sitting on the couch with your leg(s) extended in front of you. This position replicates the very posture used to test for sciatica. In this seated position, the sciatic nerve experiences tension and stretching, both of which it dislikes.

If you're seeking further information or wish to explore how we can assist you in relieving sciatica, please contact us today (5590 0232). 

 

Ryan Samuels, Dr TCM, Orthopaedic Acupuncturist 

Related articles: 

• Herniated Disc Treatment 

• Nerve Pain 

• Lower Back Pain Port Macquarie

 

Reference 

Dutton, Mark, Dutton’s Orthopaedic Examination, Evaluation and Intervention (McGraw-Hill Companies, 3rd ed, 2012)

McDonald J, Janz S. The Acupuncture Evidence Project: A Comparative Literature Review (Revised edition). © Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association Ltd, 2017: http://www.acupuncture.org.au.