Sciatica Treatment in East Grinstead
Here at Osteo Studio, East Grinstead, we regularly treat patients suffering from Sciatica.
Sciatica is a condition that osteopaths see frequently. It consists of pain, numbness, and/or tingling that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. In some cases, the unlucky person will also experience a weakening of their leg or foot muscles.
Sciatica is typically caused by compression or irritation of the nerve roots in the lower back, but can also be caused by compression of the nerve anywhere along its path. Perhaps the most common cause of sciatica is a bulge in one of the intervertebral discs in the lower back which ends up pressing on the nerve roots as they exit the spine. It’s this compression of the nerve that damages its structure and causes the infamous sciatica symptoms. Click here to learn more about Sciatica
A bulging or herniated intervertebral disc in the lumbar spine is a classic cause of sciatica.
In these situations, patients effectively end up with two separate injuries, the original injury (e.g. disc bulge or joint irritation) and a secondary injury to the sciatic nerve or its roots. Without treatment, sciatica can sometimes be slow to heal, particularly for people who have symptoms that extend below the knee or include muscle weakness. I covered some of the reasons for this slow healing process in this recent blog.
What to do if you think you’re suffering from sciatica?
Whilst sciatica can resolve on its own in some cases, if ignored or managed badly it can persist for several weeks or months and can become quite debilitating. In my experience, osteopathy can be highly beneficial for people suffering from sciatica.
When I work with sciatica patients I use a comprehensive approach, combining hands-on treatment together with recommending bespoke stretching and strengthening exercises along with particular supplements to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
Successful Sciatica Treatment
I recently successfully treated a man who came to his first appointment on crutches because of the severity of his sciatica. He had been suffering for 3 months, was taking prescription drugs for the pain and was unable to work.
His pain was reduced after the first treatment and he was largely pain-free and able to return to work after a further three treatments. Of note, I arranged for this man to have an MRI scan of his back through a private provider and it revealed multiple bulging intervertebral discs pressing on the nerves in his spinal canal.
His MRI was not dissimilar to the one shown in the image above. This is a good example of not getting too obsessed with your scan results - his scan looked terrible, but he’s back to normal now!
Finally, it’s also worth noting that sometimes sciatica can be caused by more serious underlying conditions, so you should always consult a healthcare professional to rule out these rare but serious possibilities. Call to book an appointment, for your sciatica problem at Osteostudio.
Cliff Russell, Registered Osteopath
Osteostudio Serving the areas of East Grinstead, Forest Row, Lingfield and the Wider West Sussex area.
