Did you know that sciatica is not a condition but rather a symptom of an underlying issue? Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the sciatica nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the hips and buttocks to the legs. True sciatica often occurs on only one side of the body. So, what causes sciatica and how can an osteopath treat this problem?
What are the signs and symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica often affects one side of the body and the pain may start at your lower back and radiate to your thighs. The pain is typically sharp and may be exacerbated by standing or sitting for long periods of time. You may find that the pain eases with movement. You may also experience muscle weakness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the foot or calf.
What causes sciatica?
It’s important to figure out what’s causing your sciatica so that your osteopathic team can get to work creating a customized treatment plan that will provide you with relief. Here are some of the most common causes of sciatica:
- Strained muscles
- Lower back trauma
- Pregnancy
- Scar tissue
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Piriformis syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
How will an osteopath treat sciatica?
Many people turn to osteopaths, especially when they are dealing with musculoskeletal pain because an osteopath evaluates the person as a whole. After all, when one part of the body is out of whack and doesn’t work properly other areas of the body will be impacted, as well. An osteopath will provide whole-body care to ensure that the underlying cause of your sciatica is treated and that your body functions optimally as a whole.
Through osteopathic manipulative therapy, your doctor can improve overall spinal mobility and functionality, as well as joint mobility and muscle spasms to remove added pressure from areas that are being impacted by these conditions and injuries. An osteopath may also provide you with various exercises and physical therapy techniques to help prevent sciatica from returning.
If you are looking for a comprehensive, holistic approach to treating your sciatica, then you may want to consider turning to an osteopath for treatment. They can provide well-rounded care that will target the underlying cause of your sciatica for long-lasting relief.