Sciatica

Osteopathy for Sciatica

Sciatica refers to an irritation to the sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body responsible for carrying information between your spinal cord and your legs.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica typically causes pain in the lower back, the buttocks, down the back of the leg and into the foot. It is also common to experience other neurological symptoms alongside the pain including ‘pins and needles’, numbness, sensation changes and weakness.

What are the causes?

Sciatica is commonly a result of damage to one of the joints or discs (‘slipped disc‘) of the lumbar spine causing inflammation and protective muscle spasm around the area of the sciatic nerve. Irritation of the sciatic nerve results in pain and restricted movement.

Sciatica can also be caused by spasms in the buttock or leg muscles which can also compress on the nerve.

How can we help?

Treatment aims to decompress the nerve along the route which it travels as well as reduce the inflammation that has built up due to any resulting tissue damage.

Massage, articulation and spinal decompression techniques can be used to reduce tensions in your back, buttocks and legs to help the nerve glide more easily. This will reduce the symptoms that you are experiencing and facilitate repair of the nerve itself.

We will also advise on exercises to facilitate the healing process and reduce the likelihood of re-occurence.

Our clinic located within Chatteris covers areas including March, Ely, Wisbech, Huntingdon, St Ives & Whittlesey and beyond.

Want to know more?

Contact us now to book a free 15-minute chat with an Osteopath to see if we could help with your sciatica.

Need help? Call us on 01354 694050 or book online here