Sciatica London
One of the most common problems presented at our clinic in Victoria, London is Sciatica. However, it has often been poorly diagnosed or misunderstood in its origin. The cause of Sciatica (pronounced siatica or si-at-ic-a) is essentially compression on the Sciatic Nerve and is often a symptom associated with disc injuries.
Sciatica can be a pain, weakness or a tingling sensation which mirrors the path of the nerve and is characterised by pain that runs from the lower back, into the back of the buttock, down the leg, calf and even into the ankle and foot. Sciatica has many variations in how it presents, it can be intermittent or persistent; it can also change in its severity from mild to severely debilitating and can often last for many years. Symptoms of Sciatica can range from mild pain to constant and debilitating pain and can be felt in different ways such as a sharp or deep and aching pain; it can feel like a cramp, or a tingling feeling like pins and needles.
The reason Sciatica varies in such a way is that rather than being a condition itself, Sciatica is a symptom or sign of a more serious problem usually originating from within the spine.
Causes of Sciatic Pain
The Sciatic nerve originates mainly from the base three nerves of the Lumbar Spine known as L4, L5 & S1, these three roots come together in the buttocks on each side to form the common sciatic nerve. Due to the three levels of origin there are multiple places in the spine for the nerve to be pinched, each giving a slightly different pattern of pain and dysfunction.
Additionally, the nerve can be being pinched due to either 1) mechanical dysfunction; a spasm of the muscles or a locking of the joints. 2) damage to the disc; causing a bulge to press onto the nerve or inflammation to leak onto the nerve irritating it. 3) Arthritic change; dehydration of the disc reducing the adjacent nerve space, bone spurs from the vertebra or stenosis (enlarging) of the facet joints.
NB in reality by the time a patient seeks out professional help to alleviate the pain it is likely to be a combination of these three causes of Sciatica that adds up to their complaint; each of which ProBack Practitioners are experts at identifying and treating.
