Do you have Sciatic Pain?
Sciatic pain is a common problem treated at Kettering Osteopaths. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated. Pain extends down from the lower back into the buttocks and legs often causing the pain in the legs to be worse than in the back. It may also be associated with numbness or tingling into the calf or foot.
The causes of sciatic pain can stem from a variety of musculo skeletal problems such as disc injury, spinal joint degeneration inflammation around the nerve or muscle spasm around the path of the nerve roots. Older patients may develop sciatica due to prolonged wear on the spinal joints and lumbar discs at the base of the spine, which can be aggravated by unaccustomed activity or overuse.
Following an initial assessment examination by the osteopath, we will be able to confirm whether the problem is sciatica. At that point we will also attempt to identify the cause of the sciatic pain.
Massage techniques are sometimes employed to work on the soft tissues and reduce the irritation on the sciatic nerve. Manipulation and mobilisation techniques can be used to help increase the range of motion in the lower back .We can also offer advice on exercises to help prevent the recurrence of sciatic episodes.
Osteopathic treatment can be very successful in easing the symptoms of sciatic pain. It has been shown to be more effective than just using painkillers & bed rest.