All You Want To Know About Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Do you have pain in your buttock? Sciatic pain can run from your lower spine, through your buttock, down the back or side of your thigh and into your calf. Depending on the severity of the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, pain tingling or numbness may be felt only partially, or along the whole nerve pathway. The sensation can range from mild discomfort to intense pain. The image to the right shows the most common area where sciatic pain is felt.

Usually only one side of the body is affected, however it is not uncommon in my clients for the sciatic pain to move around periodically, or even completely change sides to the other buttock.

By BruceBlaus

By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918)

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatic pain occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed. This can be due to an issue in your lower back, or tight muscles compressing the nerve.

In 17% of the population the sciatic nerve actually runs through, instead of around the piriformis muscle. This population may be more susceptible to experiencing sciatic pain, as the sciatic nerve may become more easily inflamed due to a tight or spasming piriformis muscle. By following the exercise in the first part of my free online program for Sciatica, you can work out if your piriformis muscle is contributing to your sciatica and stretch it to reduce the inflammation.

When to Seek Treatment for Sciatica ?

If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it's best to seek treatment earlier rather than later, since early treatment facilitates a speedy recovery. Leaving sciatic pain untreated for extended periods increases recovery time, as well as contributing to new musculo-skeletal problems. As people start getting in the habit of walking with a  limp to accommodate their sciatic pain it starts throwing other parts of the body out, and creating additional problems. 
​You can read Reviews from our clients here, or Book Online here for a Bowen Therapy Treatment for Sciatica in Geelong. We're open till 9pm weekdays and Saturday.