Learn something new about sciatica
Just when I think I have a basic understanding of sciatica, a condition I deal with on a fairly regular basis, I get thrown a curve ball. Here’s a quick review of the differences between true sciatica and pseudo-sciatica.
True sciatica happens when something structurally in the lower back/ lumbar area (below the ribs) is possibly out of alignment and either the vertebrae or the discs between them are pushing on the nerves exiting from the spine.
Having arthritis in that area can also be a contributing factor to sciatica. As these nerves exit the spine, they come together to form the sciatic nerve as it is descending into the hip area. It is the largest nerve in our body—one half to one inch wide. So, when it’s getting pushed on, yes, it does yell in the form of pain.
Pseudo-sciatica originates in our glutes (butt muscles). And it’s due to one muscle in particular, the piriformis. The sciatic nerve runs between the sacrum (which sits at the base of our vertebrae) and the piriformis muscle. So, when this muscle tightens, it directly affects the sciatic nerve. If it tightens enough, it annoys the sciatic nerve, sending pain down the leg, all the way to the foot if it so desires.
True sciatica happens when something structurally in the lower back/ lumbar area (below the ribs) is possibly out of alignment and either the vertebrae or the discs between them are pushing on the nerves exiting from the spine.
Having arthritis in that area can also be a contributing factor to sciatica. As these nerves exit the spine, they come together to form the sciatic nerve as it is descending into the hip area. It is the largest nerve in our body—one half to one inch wide. So, when it’s getting pushed on, yes, it does yell in the form of pain.
Pseudo-sciatica originates in our glutes (butt muscles). And it’s due to one muscle in particular, the piriformis. The sciatic nerve runs between the sacrum (which sits at the base of our vertebrae) and the piriformis muscle. So, when this muscle tightens, it directly affects the sciatic nerve. If it tightens enough, it annoys the sciatic nerve, sending pain down the leg, all the way to the foot if it so desires.
OK, now the reason for this article. Last week, I had a client with both sciatica and pseudo-sciatica, a new experience for me. It sounded like one was causing the other. As I thought about it, this made perfect sense. Fortunately, most people get one variety or the other, not both.
This client has had an MRI and knows she has arthritis and a slightly bulging disc in her lumbar area. It sounds like the pain in the lumbar region is, in turn, causing the piriformis muscle and IT band (a band of tissue that attaches at the hip bone and runs down the outside of the leg to the knee) to tighten up. It’s to the point of causing her pain and difficulty in walking.
She first started her treatment plan by going to the chiropractor seven to eight times. The next step was a cortisone shot. When she couldn’t get in for a cortisone shot right away, she did physical therapy about eight times. She finally got her cortisone injection and that lasted about two weeks.
This client is waiting to get facet injections, which is the next step in her journey. (Facets are a flat part of the vertebrae.) While waiting, she is coming to me for massage therapy.
Her doctor thinks that the inflammation from her arthritis is what’s pushing on the nerves. If they can get her some relief from this, it might very well help her. She is hoping the combination of facet injections and massage will help her lead a more pain-free life.
This is what I enjoy about helping people. The body teaches me so much. I then get to pass this knowledge to others who may be in similar situations.
This client has had an MRI and knows she has arthritis and a slightly bulging disc in her lumbar area. It sounds like the pain in the lumbar region is, in turn, causing the piriformis muscle and IT band (a band of tissue that attaches at the hip bone and runs down the outside of the leg to the knee) to tighten up. It’s to the point of causing her pain and difficulty in walking.
She first started her treatment plan by going to the chiropractor seven to eight times. The next step was a cortisone shot. When she couldn’t get in for a cortisone shot right away, she did physical therapy about eight times. She finally got her cortisone injection and that lasted about two weeks.
This client is waiting to get facet injections, which is the next step in her journey. (Facets are a flat part of the vertebrae.) While waiting, she is coming to me for massage therapy.
Her doctor thinks that the inflammation from her arthritis is what’s pushing on the nerves. If they can get her some relief from this, it might very well help her. She is hoping the combination of facet injections and massage will help her lead a more pain-free life.
This is what I enjoy about helping people. The body teaches me so much. I then get to pass this knowledge to others who may be in similar situations.
