Sciatica Treatment – Trapped Nerve Treatment

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that runs along the sciatic nerve. The pain usually affects only one side of the lower body at a time and often extends from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh, down through the leg and occasionally to the foot or toes. It is often a reoccurring condition that seems to worsen with every episode.

What causes Sciatica?

In young and early middle-aged adults most sciatica results from inflammation or pressure from a bulging disc which can be very painful.

In older people, changes in the spine due to conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis may be responsible. Being overweight and not exercising regularly can aggravate sciatica.

Without proper care, pinching of the sciatic nerve may result in months or even years of pain.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?

Your osteopath will diagnose sciatica by taking a full medical history and by testing your back, hips, and legs for strength, flexibility, sensation, and reflexes.

In some cases it may be necessary to get an MRI scan of your back to show whether or not there is a specific disc injury pressing on a nerve. Your osteopath will discuss this with you.

X-Rays are of no help in this condition because they only show the bones and not the soft tissues that cause this problem.

How is Sciatica treated?

Osteopathy has an essential role both for the acute episode as well as long term avoidance of further episodes. The most common type of sciatica that we encounter responds well to osteopathic treatment, which consists of relieving pressure and inflammation off the sciatic nerve.

Typical sciatica treatments include:

• Gentle Spinal mobilisation of the lower lumbar spineRelease of muscle spasm.
• Traction of Lumbar spine manually
• Gently articulating the affected joints
• Rehabilitation exercises.