Back Clinic Sciatica Chiropractic Team. Dr. Alex Jimenez organized a variety of article archives associated with sciatica, a common and frequently reported series of symptoms affecting a majority of the population. Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain most often occurs on one side.
Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg as it controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Dr. Jimenez explains how sciatica and its symptoms can be relieved through the use of chiropractic treatment. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
The body experiences physical changes during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the body has to adjust, which can cause unfamiliar aches and pains. A common issue for pregnant women is sciatica symptoms or lumbar radiculopathy, which radiates discomfort sensations that travel down the lower spine, down the back of the thigh, and into the foot. Chiropractic care and massage therapy can realign the spine and hips, therapeutically massage circulation through the body, relieve symptoms, and restore function.
Pregnancy Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and the main nerve in the legs. In most cases, sciatica happens when this nerve gets compressed by bulging, slipped, or ruptured spinal discs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
Aches and pains that result from sciatica range from mild to severe sensations. Symptoms include:
Pain that travels from the pelvis down the back of the leg.
A burning sensation in the low back and buttocks.
Jolting pain that feels like an electric shock.
Numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in one leg or foot.
Tingling sensation in one part of the body and pain in another.
Pain that worsens when coughing, sneezing or sitting for long periods.
Causes
Sciatica during pregnancy can be caused by:
Weight gain is going to pull the spine and muscles down.
Increased fluid retention can place added pressure on the nerve as it passes through the pelvis.
The expanding uterus can press down on the nerve in the lower part of the spine.
The growing belly and breasts shift the center of gravity forward and stretch the lordotic curve causing the muscles in the:
Buttocks and pelvis to tighten up and compress the sciatic nerve.
The baby’s head can rest directly on the nerve when settling into the proper birth position in the third trimester.
A herniated or slipped disc caused by the extra pressure of the growing uterus can be the cause, although this is less common.
Pregnancy also causes the body to release a hormone called relaxin, designed to relax the ligaments and prepare the pelvis for childbirth.
Loose ligaments can cause spinal compression and affect the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica will most likely occur during the third trimester when mother and baby are bulking up, but it can develop earlier, although this is less common. Most women experience symptoms on one side, though it can affect both legs. The condition can be constant or intermittent, depending on the amount of pressure placed on the nerve, and can remain for a few months after giving birth when the excess weight and fluid are gone.
Treatment Techniques
Simple home remedies and treatment to help ease the symptoms. These include:
Sleep on Your Side
Rest on the side of the body that does not present symptoms when lying down.
Prenatal massage can reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and regulate hormones.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
Chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, making it a safe and gentle option for mom and baby.
A professional chiropractor can evaluate the condition.
Identify and remove interferences in the nervous system from the source.
Realign the bones.
Provide a personalized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and stretches and strength-building exercises.
Sciatica In Pregnancy
References
American Pregnancy Association: “Prenatal Massage Therapy.
American Pregnancy Association: “Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment.”
FRIEDMANN, E. “Narrowing of the spinal canal due to thickened lamina a cause of low-back pain and sciatica.” Clinical orthopedics vol. 21 (1961): 190-7.
Goldsmith, Laura T, and Gerson Weiss. “Relaxin in human pregnancy.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences vol. 1160 (2009): 130-5. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03800.x
KULOWSKI, J. “Unusual causes of low back pain and sciatica during pregnancy.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology vol. 84 (1962): 627-30. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(62)90156-4
Trager, Robert J et al. “Ischial osteochondroma as an unusual source of pregnancy-related sciatic pain: a case report.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 30,1 45. 17 Oct. 2022, doi:10.1186/s12998-022-00451-3
Sciatica is one of the most common injuries, with as many as 40% of individuals experiencing the condition, and it becomes more frequent as the body ages. The pain originates with the sciatic nerves and can go on for several weeks, months, or years. Staying active is a major recommendation to relieve the pain and prevent future flare-ups. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can decompress and release the nerve and educate individuals on an anti-inflammatory diet and staying active to expedite healing.
Staying Active
Sciatica is most commonly caused by a slipped disc, which puts pressure or irritates the sciatic nerve, and causes discomfort and painful sensations. The most common factors for developing sciatica include the following:
As the body ages, the spinal discs wear out and break down, leading to the spine shifting out of alignment.
Job occupations that place added strain on the back, like sitting or standing for extended periods, repetitive heavy lifting, or bending, reaching, and twisting movements.
Doctors and chiropractors have found that only resting with sciatica can worsen the injury.
This is because if it is a slipped/bulging/herniated disc, the disc remains in this state, the nerve stays compressed or irritated, and the muscles that control the low back become weak and unable to provide support.
Recommendations
Don’t Sit For Too Long
Prolonged periods of sitting place added pressure on the discs and ligaments in the low back.
Even when sitting doesn’t make it worse, the muscles can develop unhealthy muscle memory that causes partial contracting when there shouldn’t be any that tightens the gluteal muscles causing added strain.
Individuals with a job requiring a lot of sitting or standing are recommended to take frequent breaks to stretch out their muscles or use a standing desk to change positions.
Posture Adjustments
Slouching, hunching, and continuing to practice unhealthy postures will exacerbate sciatica.
Pay attention to the body’s position when standing or sitting.
To prevent slouching, pull the shoulders down and back.
Imagine the shoulder blades touching.
Individuals working at a desk or workstation should take frequent breaks.
Position the screen to see it without tilting the head down.
Increase Physical Activity and Exercise
Exercise is highly recommended to keep the muscles and nerves moving and circulation flowing.
Aerobics
Walking, light jogging, swimming, cycling, and dancing, increase heart rate without causing added strain or pain.
Strength Training
Exercises using free weights, weight machines, or isometric exercises strengthen the muscles and can help restore their position.
Stretching and Flexibility Training
Yoga, tai chi, and Pilates increase flexibility and strength.
The stretching will keep the nerves and muscles from spasms that can worsen the injury.
Strengthen The Core
A stronger core will improve spinal health. Actively engaging the abdominal muscles protects sciatic nerve roots by minimizing spinal pressure.
The back muscles can become increasingly stressed and tired when they have to do all the work without core muscle support.
A weak core can cause additional back pain and worsen sciatica symptoms.
Stand Up Straight
Keep the head and shoulders straight.
Focus On Breathing
Rhythmic breathing helps keep the mind focused and alert while engaged in an activity.
Core Muscles
The back, side, pelvis, and buttock muscles are also part of the core.
Strengthening all of these muscles helps to support the spine.
Exercises for core strengthening include yoga and Pilates, planks, and bridges.
Nerve Recovery
As the nerve recovers, the area the nerve supplies could experience tingling discomfort.
This could be accompanied by an electric sensation at the level of the healing nerve fibers.
The location of this sensation should move as the nerve heals.
With time the sensations should subside, and the area should begin to feel more normal.
Spinal Decompression Demonstration
References
Jensen, Rikke K et al. “Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 367 l6273. 19 Nov. 2019, doi:10.1136/bmj.l6273
Kuai, Shengzheng, et al. “Influences of lumbar disc herniation on the kinematics in multi-segmental spine, pelvis, and lower extremities during five activities of daily living.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 18,1 216. 25 May. 2017, doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1572-7
Ma, Xiao, et al. “The Effect of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Attention, Negative Affect and Stress in Healthy Adults.” Frontiers in psychology vol. 8 874. 6 Jun. 2017, doi:10.3389/fps.2017.00874
Ramaswami, Ramya, et al. “Management of Sciatica.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 376,12 (2017): 1175-1177. doi:10.1056/NEJMclde1701008
Sciatica is common and affects up to 40% of the general population. Different types include acute, chronic, alternating, and bilateral sciatica. The sciatic nerve comprises three specific nerve roots in the lower back. The three nerves originate in the L4 and L5 vertebrae and the sacrum, just below the vertebrae. The nerve then branches off and runs through the back of each thigh. Injury, compression, or irritation of these nerves can cause various symptoms, including numbness, tingling, electrical shooting pain, and muscle spasms in the low back, the leg, and the foot. Chiropractic care can realign the spine, relax the muscles, release compression and relieve sciatica.
Acute, Chronic, Alternating, and Bilateral Sciatica
Acute
Acute pain can be brought on by sudden irritation to the nerves that have become pinched, compressed, or a combination.
Causes a constant burning or shooting sensation through the low back, buttocks, down the leg, and possible hip discomfort.
It becomes worse when sitting.
It can cause immediate and short-term pain lasting for 1-2 weeks.
Chronic
Chronic sciatica can last for months or years on and off or continuously.
It can be caused or worsened by inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, injuries, infections, and spinal misalignment issues.
It can resolve but will come back without treatment or lifestyle and activity adjustments.
Bilateral
Sciatica typically takes place in one leg; it has been known to be bilateral and experienced in both legs.
This type of sciatica is rare but can occur from degenerative changes in the vertebrae and/or the discs at several spinal levels.
If there is pain in both legs, it is likely not a herniation but degenerative changes like spinal stenosis.
The symptoms can range from infrequent to irritating to severe and debilitating.
Weakness may be felt in the leg and foot, or a feeling of heaviness, making it difficult to lift the foot off the floor.
Alternating
Alternating sciatica affects both legs alternately. It is usually connected to bilateral sciatica that switches sides.
This type is rare and can result from degenerative problems in the sacroiliac joint, the joint connecting the spine to the hips, or sacroiliac arthritis.
Spinal Sources
Sciatica occurs when L4, L5, and/or S1 nerve roots are affected.
L4 Nerve Root
Pain in the hip, thigh, inner medial areas or the knee, and the calf.
Weakness in the thigh and hip muscles.
Reduced knee-jerk reflex.
Loss of sensation around the calf.
L5 Nerve Root
Pain in the buttock and the outer area of the thigh.
Weakness in the buttock and leg muscles.
Difficulty moving the ankle and lifting the big toe upward.
Loss of sensation between the big toe and the second toe.
S1 Nerve Root
Known as classic sciatica.
Pain in the buttock, back of the calf, and side of the foot.
Fatigue in the buttock and foot muscles.
Difficulty and discomfort raising the heel off the ground or walking on tiptoes.
Loss of sensation in the foot’s outer side, including the third, fourth, and fifth toes.
Chiropractic care can directly address the root cause of the problem, treat the cause, and alleviate the symptoms. Chiropractic manipulation is recommended by the American College of Physiciansas a first line of treatment for back pain before medication, muscle relaxants, injections, and surgery. Treatments to address sciatic nerve impingement:
Ice/Cold Therapy
Reduces inflammation and swelling.
Prepares the patient for massage and adjustments.
Therapeutic Tissue Massage
This therapy promotes muscle relaxation and lessens the muscle spasm/recoil response.
Ultrasound
Soothing heat created by sound waves penetrates the muscles, increases circulation, and relaxes the muscles to alleviate spasms, stiffness, and pain.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation/Tens Unit
A muscle stimulation machine applies electrical impulses to relax the muscles and untangle muscle knots.
Spinal Manipulation
This process realigns the spine to move properly and restores vertebral health.
Stretches and Exercises
This ensures treatment will last once treatment has or is coming to an end.
Spinal Decompression
Pulls and stretches the body to release any compression on the nerve roots and infuse circulation back into the discs.
The pressure is taken off the sciatic nerve, and routine adjustments will retrain the muscles to maintain their re-alignment. The duration of treatment will vary based on the root cause of sciatica. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient’s situation.
Severe and Complex Sciatica Syndromes
References
Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2022 May 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
Hernández C.P., Sanchez N., Navarro-Siguero A., Saldaña M.T. (2013) What is Sciatica and Radicular Pain?. In: Laroche F., Perrot S. (eds) Managing Sciatica and Radicular Pain in Primary Care Practice. Springer Healthcare, Tarporley. doi.org/10.1007/978-1-907673-56-6_1
Kumar, M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and symptomatic treatment of sciatica: A review. nt. J. Pharm. Bio. Arch. 2011, 2.
Ngnitewe Massa R, Mesfin FB. Herniation, Disc. [Updated 2018 Oct 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/
Ombregt L. The dural concept. In: A System of Orthopaedic Medicine. Elsevier; 2013:447-472.e4. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-3145-8.00033-8
Witenko, Corey, et al. “Considerations for the appropriate use of skeletal muscle relaxants for the management of acute low-back pain.” P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management vol. 39,6 (2014): 427-35.
Wright R, Inbody SB. Radiculopathy and Degenerative Spine Disease. In: Neurology Secrets. Elsevier; 2010:121-130. doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-05712-7.00007-6
Sciatica pain can radiate to the knee. Individuals with sciatica do report unique/unusual knee pain that was never there and no past or recent physical injuries. Sciatica is the culprit, as the knee muscles are powered and controlled by nerves in the lower spine. Irritation or compression of these nerves can cause symptoms that can include: random back pain, hamstring tightness, weakness in the hips or quadriceps, the development of bunions, and knee pain and/or weakness. Chiropractic treatment can release the compression, heal the sciatic nerve, and alleviate knee problems.
Sciatica Pain Can Radiate To The Knee
Spine conditions that can cause sciatica include:
Disc herniation – Where the inside of the discs leak out and compress and/or irritate surrounding nerves.
Spinal stenosis – The spinal canal begins to narrow, not allowing enough space for the nerves to rest comfortably, resulting in compressed nerves.
Spondylolisthesis – A condition that occurs when a vertebrae slips forward onto the vertebrae below it.
Any can cause irritation, inflammation, or compression of the sciatic nerve leading to painful sensations that extends from the lower back down through the leg.
Symptoms
Common knee symptoms that may be experienced with sciatica include:
A dull ache, warm sensation, or sharp pain around the knee.
Bunions form from weakened stabilizing muscles that affect walking, running, and standing posture.
As sciatica pain can radiate to the knee, individuals will usually also experience pain in their buttocks, thigh, calf, and/or foot. The nerve sensations and other symptoms in the knee can be felt through a branch of the sciatic nerve known as the peroneal nerve.
Duration
The knee pain will last as long as sciatica does, depending on the type of sciatica, whether it is acute or chronic.
An acute sciatic episode usually resolves after a few weeks, with possible future flare-ups.
Chronic sciatica is a long-term condition that does not resolve independently and necessitates intervention by a specialist.
Chiropractic Treatment Plan
Depending on the diagnosis, a chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan to address the root cause and heal the injury. The treatment plan will include therapeutic massage, posture training, and at-home self-care to help heal and prevent future sciatica.
Massage Rehabilitation
Physical therapy and therapeutic massage will loosen and relax the muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments.
Heat and ice, exercises, and stretches will prepare the muscles and nerves for chiropractic decompression adjustments.
Posture Training
Training will be provided to maintain the back, hips, knees, and feet in proper alignment.
Training on removing pressure from the lower back and restabilizing the rest of the body.
Training on proper body mechanics, safe lifting techniques, and injury prevention.
Self-Pain Management
Training on self-care habits that include healthy weight, core strengthening exercises and stretches for the back muscles, and proper rest for a full recovery.
An anti-inflammatory diet to reduce/eliminate inflammation and achieve a healthy weight and a nutrition plan to maintain overall health.
Surgery
Surgery is the final option when conservative treatments are not working.
Treating Severe & Complex Sciatica Syndromes
References
Dydyk AM, Khan MZ, Singh P. Radicular Back Pain. [Updated 2021 Nov 2]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/
Hirabayashi, Hiroki, et al. “Characteristics of L3 nerve root radiculopathy.” Surgical neurology vol. 72,1 (2009): 36-40; discussion 40. doi:10.1016/j.surneu.2008.08.073
Jandre Reis, Felipe Jose, and Adriana Ribeiro Macedo. “Influence of Hamstring Tightness in Pelvic, Lumbar and Trunk Range of Motion in Low Back Pain and Asymptomatic Volunteers during forwarding Bending.” Asian spine journal vol. 9,4 (2015): 535-40. doi:10.4184/asj.2015.9.4.535
Jeong, Ui-Cheol, et al. “The effects of self-mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerves on physical functions and health of low back pain patients with lower limb radiating pain.” Journal of physical therapy science vol. 28,1 (2016): 46-50. doi:10.1589/jpts.28.46
The lower back core muscles initiate and control movement and posture. Total body movements start at the pelvis and are carried out by the low back and abdominal muscles. These core muscles provide control and stability when moving. When the body is not moving, standing and sitting posture habits (healthy and unhealthy) develop based on how an individual controls/holds their pelvis posture. The lower back muscles are in constant demand for performing repetitive motions or forceful actions. The muscles become chronically tight and sore, joints and nerves get compressed, and bones and connective tissue stay in a stressed state, causing intense pain and damage to the body’s structure. These problems can result from muscle memory, the nervous system’s operating procedure to make movements automatic.
Muscle Memory
The nervous system controls the movement and contraction in the muscles and constantly reinforces and learns new movement patterns to become more efficient through muscle memory. However, this learning process allows for the development of healthy muscle habits and unhealthy muscular habits. An example is sitting using a slouching posture. The nervous system will store that posture data and subconsciously contract the abdominal and pectoral muscles, so the slouched posture takes over. Because of the continual usage and compromised postures, various muscles start to tighten up. Individuals are typically not aware of the gradual tightening until stiffness, soreness, and pain sets in. Tight muscles pull the skeleton in awkward ways that cause body misalignments, causing:
Individuals develop unique muscle patterns and tension levels throughout the body due to repetitive daily activities, stress responses, injuries sustained, and physical activities. Muscle memory issues can contribute to chronic back pain and sciatica. Unhealthy muscle memory causes the muscles not to return to their natural state but to the awkward position and makes that the natural state. Healthy muscle memory leads to instant reflexes that make movements smooth and effortless.
Chiropractic will relieve back and sciatica pain by inducing deep muscle relaxation that releases endorphins. The soreness and tension will be massaged, and mechanical decompression if necessary. Massage and stretching will help retrain muscle and movement memory, along with exercises to reinforce the retraining.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
References
Campbell, James N, and Richard A Meyer. “Mechanisms of neuropathic pain.” Neuron vol. 52,1 (2006): 77-92. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2006.09.021
Wilder, David G et al. “Effect of spinal manipulation on sensorimotor functions in back pain patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.” Trials vol. 12 161. 28 Jun. 2011, doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-161
In the lower half region of the body, a large nerve connects to the lumbar region of the spine that travels down to the legs. This is the sciatic nerve, and its primary function is to provide mobility to the legs. The legs use the sciatic nerve to move, feel, and stabilize the body as it is in motion. When the lumbar region of the spine begins to natural wear and tear from injuries or ordinary factors like lifting heavy objects can cause the spinal discs in the spine to herniate and press on the sciatic nerve. When this happens, the sciatic nerve sends out pain signals that travel down the legs and back to the brain, causing symptoms like sciatica to develop. Luckily some therapies can help prevent sciatica from developing further and provide relief to many suffering individuals. Today’s article focuses on the factors that cause sciatica and how treatments like decompression therapy can help prevent sciatica-like factors from progressing further for many individuals. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Sciatica?
Do you feel pain running down your legs? Does it hurt when you are walking, even for a short distance? How about muscle stiffness that is occurring in your lower back and legs? All these symptoms are signs that you are experiencing sciatica. Research studies have defined sciatica as a throbbing, sharp pain that affects one side of the body and travels down each leg. Whenever a person is suffering from sciatica, the pain symptoms usually vary, depending on how severe it affects the legs. Sciatica usually forms when the spine suffers from a herniated disc, or the piriformis muscle starts to compress on the sciatic nerve, causing it to become irritated. Additional information shows that various conditions that can structurally impact or even compress the sciatic nerve can result in sciatica symptoms that can hinder a person’s ability to walk. Injuries to the spine are not the only factors that can cause sciatica to occur, as ordinary factors can also be an issue.
Factors That Cause Sciatica
Now many factors can cause sciatica to develop. Some of these factors can be ordinary everyday habits that many have adopted that don’t realize are causing sciatica pain. Research studies have shown that many individuals that are suffering from low back pain from strenuous working conditions like sitting down in a desk job for long periods can cause an increased risk of developing sciatica. Sitting for an extended period can cause a person to create poor posture, which leads to low back pain and thus developing sciatica. Another factor that can lead to sciatica is lifting heavy objects. Additional research studies have shown that when workers handle carrying or lifting heavy objects can affect their lower back. The heavyweight of the object causes stress and tension on the lower muscles causing the individual to ache in pain. These painful symptoms can cause the lower muscles to compress and aggravate the sciatic nerve. Luckily some treatments can help prevent these factors from irritating the sciatic nerve and prevent sciatica from progressing.
Things To Avoid With Sciatica-Video
Are you feeling muscle strain from lifting or carrying heavy objects? Does your lower back ache after an extended period of sitting down? Do you feel aggravating pain in the back of your legs? You could be suffering from sciatica, and decompression therapy might be able to help. The video above explains the ten things to avoid when dealing with sciatica. Decompression therapy allows the individual experiencing sciatica to feel relief in their lower back. It uses gentle traction on the spine to enable the aggravated sciatic nerve to relax while also loosening up the stiff muscles that are causing immobility to the lower back. Incorporating decompression therapy as a wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explainhow decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from sciatica while also returning them to their health and wellness journey.
How Decompression Can Alleviate Sciatica Factors
Many treatments are available to help with sciatica symptoms and low back pain symptoms that can relieve the suffering individual. Research studies have shown that decompression treatments for sciatica can be delivered to many individuals by reducing the pain that the piriformis muscle has trapped. When the piriformis muscle is gently moved away from the sciatic nerve, the pain signals will lessen from sending information to the brain. Other research studies have shown that decompression treatments for trapped sciatic nerves will provide pain reduction to the leg muscles and relieve the buttock muscles from suffering from muscle spasms. Many individuals that suffer from sciatica will also feel relief from the negative pressure that decompression treatment has provided.
Conclusion
Overall, sciatica can be caused by factors that can be ordinary, like sitting for an extended period, lifting, or carrying heavy objects. Other factors can be simple as a herniated disc or piriformis syndrome. Decompression treatments allow the individual to feel instant relief from sciatica by gently stretching the spine to alleviate the pressure off of the sciatic nerve. Once the sciatic nerve starts to feel better after being aggravated, the lower half of the body will begin to relax, and the individual will become pain-free.
References
Davis, David, et al. “Sciatica – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/.
Euro, Ulla, et al. “Work-Related Risk Factors for Sciatica Leading to Hospitalization.” Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group UK, 25 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6484005/.
Hogan, Elizabeth, et al. “A Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Series.” Chinese Neurosurgical Journal, BioMed Central, 30 Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7398220/.
Lis, Angela Maria, et al. “Association between Sitting and Occupational LBP.” European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Springer-Verlag, Feb. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2200681/.
Park, Myung-Sik, et al. “Clinical Results of Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression for Deep Gluteal Syndrome: Mean 2-Year Follow-Up.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 20 May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4875686/.
The lower half of the body helps provide stability to the upper half of the body. The hips, legs, and feet have sensory and motor functions from the nerves part of the peripheral nervous system. These nerves are connected to the lumbar region of the spine that makes the hips rotate, the feet sense where it is going, and the legs move around freely. One of the nerves connected to the lumbar regions of the spine is the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve extends from the spinal cord’s lower lumbar region through the buttock muscle region and travels down to the legs. When unwanted symptoms start to affect the lower half of the body, it can cause the sciatic nerves to become trapped in the buttock muscle region and irritated, causing sciatica to develop. Today’s article will focus on the deep gluteal syndrome, how it affects the sciatic nerve, and how decompression treatments can help relieve trapped sciatic nerves. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Deep Gluteal Syndrome?
Do you feel pain in your hips and buttock regions? How about stinging, burning pain that is causing leg pain? Do your buttock muscles gradually begin to feel numbness or spasms throughout the day? If you have been dealing with these symptoms, it could be deep gluteal syndrome. Research studies have defined deep gluteal syndrome as a presence of pain located in the buttock region that causes the surrounding muscles to press on the nerve roots and cause unwanted pain. When a person suffers from an accident like falling and landing on their butt, the muscles feel the effects of that fall and start to compress the sciatic nerve that is traveling down the leg and causes pain to the body’s lower extremities. Other studies have shown that deep gluteal syndrome factors can cause this condition to develop over time due to increased muscle tension that aggravates the sciatic nerve. Other causes of the deep gluteal syndrome can include prolonged sitting. The butt muscles start to pinch the sciatic nerves constantly, the muscles from the buttock start to feel tender to the touch, and abnormalities in the piriformis muscles can lead to the development of sciatica.
How Does It Affect The Sciatic Nerve & Symptoms?
Since deep gluteal syndrome causes muscle tension in the buttock region, it can aggravate the sciatic nerve and causes sciatica-like symptoms in the legs. Research studies have mentioned that deep gluteal syndrome can cause a painful presence in the buttock muscles while trapping the sciatic nerve within the gluteal space, causing the sciatic nerve to become irritated. Since the sciatic nerve is located in the spinal cord and goes all the way to the legs, sciatica is presented whenever the lower half of the body is suffering from factors like herniated discs, piriformis syndrome, and even deep gluteal syndrome.
Some of the symptoms that deep gluteal syndrome causes to the lower regions of the body are sciatica. Since the sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs across the butt and down to the legs, it can cause leg pain since the nerves are either trapped by the buttock muscles or irritated due to a compressed disc in the spine. Other symptoms that are caused by deep gluteal syndrome involve:
Muscle tenderness
Tingling sensations traveling down the legs
Pain becomes worse during light to moderate exercises
Muscle aches on the hips, lower back, and buttock
Spinal Decompression With The DRX9000- Video
Do you feel less mobility in your hips? How about the excruciating pain that travels down to your legs? Does it hurt when you walk or sit down for long periods? This could result from deep gluteal syndrome associated with sciatica, and decompression therapy might be the relief you are looking for. The video above explains how the DRX9000 helps relieve herniated discs from aggravating the sciatic nerve. The DRX9000 is part of a wellness treatment known as decompression therapy that incorporates gentle traction on the spinal discs by increasing their height between the spinal joints and promoting a healing factor for those suffering from low back pain issues. Decompression therapy can be in surgical and non-surgical treatments depending on the severity of pain that the spine is in. Incorporating spinal decompression as part of your wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explainhow decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from sciatica and deep gluteal syndrome while also getting them back to their health and wellness journey.
How Decompression Can Help Relieve Deep Gluteal Syndrome
With sciatica-like symptoms associated with deep gluteal syndrome affecting the buttock and the legs, many people have turned to find some relief to ease the tense muscles that aggravate the sciatic nerve. Research studies have shown that endoscopic decompression surgery allows the individual to be supine while physicians gently move the piriformis muscle away from the sciatic nerve and relieve the pain. Other decompression treatments can also help lower the sciatic nerve’s inflammation, causing the legs to be under and reducing muscle spasms occurring, as research has found.
Conclusion
Overall, having pain in the lower half of the body is never a good thing. The lower half of the body allows stability for the upper half as the motor functions provide the legs to move around. When an injury starts to affect the lower half, it can cause sciatica-like symptoms associated with the deep gluteal syndrome. These conditions can cause motor dysfunction in the legs and cause a person to become unstable. Treatments like decompression therapy allow the buttock muscles to ease off the sciatic nerve and provide relief to the legs. As part of a person’s wellness journey, decompression treatments will enable the return of leg mobility to the individual without feeling pain around the lower regions of the body.
References
Ham, Dong Hun, et al. “Effectiveness of Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression for the Treatment of Deep Gluteal Syndrome.” Hip & Pelvis, Korean Hip Society, Mar. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5861023/.
Hopayian, Kevork, and James Heathcote. “Deep Gluteal Syndrome: An Overlooked Cause of Sciatica.” The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of General Practitioners, 26 Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6774708/.
Son, Byung-Chul, et al. “Decompression of the Sciatic Nerve Entrapment Caused by Post-Inflammatory Scarring.” Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, The Korean Neurosurgical Society, Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345190/.
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