All About: Sciatica
Are you experiencing a pain in the butt or perhaps a deep ache down the back of your leg, extending into your calf? You might be wondering if it's sciatica. We get a lot of questions about sciatica so Dr. Robin made a video. She talks about what sciatica is, how it may feel or appear, and what you can do about it. Have a look below.
If you know someone suffering from sciatic pain, forward this post to them. It might be able to help. And of course, if you are the one with sciatic, book an appointment below and we can figure where your sciatic pain is coming from.
The Nerves Involved
Nerves from the spine exit through openings on the sides and travel down to the legs, providing sensation to the muscles in the buttocks, calves, and hamstrings. The largest of these nerves is the sciatic nerve, formed by a combination of nerves from the lower back, specifically the L4 and L5 vertebrae, along with some sacral nerves.
This major nerve extends all the way down to the foot. If you're experiencing sciatica, you might feel deep, achy pain, sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. Some individuals may also complain of numbness or tingling, which can extend all the way to the foot.
The sciatic nerve can become trapped or irritated at any point along its path, whether it's due to issues with the low back joints, a bulging disc pressing on the nerve, or the piriformis muscle in the hip exerting pressure on the nerve. These factors contribute to sciatic-like pain.
However, if you feel pain down the leg, but it's not along the back of the leg as I described, it's likely another nerve causing the discomfort. Although it follows a similar pattern, it is not technically sciatica.
What To Do With This Pain?
Chiropractic adjustments or mobilizations often help release the nerve if it's irritated at the spine.
We can also focus on the muscles surrounding the sacrum and work on loosening the piriformis muscle to relieve pressure on the nerve.
It’s also really important to confirm with your chiropractor if it's genuinely sciatica. Sometimes, you might mistake the pain for a pulled muscle in the back of the leg or hamstring, particularly if it's near the sitting bone. Seeking a professional opinion can determine whether the issue is muscular, nerve-related, or something else entirely.
Exercises To Do On Your Own:
Piriformis Stretch
This muscle connects from the sacrum to the side of the hip, crossing over the sciatic nerve. You can do this stretch while sitting or lying on your back.
To target this muscle start by gently lifting your ankle and placing it above your knee, allowing your hip to open up. While maintaining a long spine, lean forward, applying slight pressure to enhance the stretch in your hip. If you feel tension in your lower back, reduce the intensity. Hold the stretch for at least 30 seconds, and remember to perform it on both sides, even if the other leg isn't affected.
Nerve Flossing
Another technique you can try is nerve flossing. Imagine the nerve passing through openings, and we want to facilitate its smooth movement through the muscles.
Start by tucking your toe under and looking up, then look down while straightening your leg and raising your toes. Reverse the motion—tuck your toe under, look up, straighten the leg, bring the toes up, and look down. Repeat this five to ten times throughout the day to help alleviate sciatica symptoms.
Conclusion
You don't have to suffer from sciatica. Together, we can take steps to alleviate your pain. You can get started by booking an appointment below.
