Sciatic Nerve Relief

There is considerable confusion regarding the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Some think that they are the same thing, but although they have very similar symptoms in many cases and can be present simultaneously, the underlying causes of sciatica and piriformis syndrome can be quite different.

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic (often mis-spelled as syatic or psyatic) nerve, that arises from nerve roots in the lumbar spine. The most common cause of sciatic nerve irritation, or "true" sciatica is compression of one or more of its component nerve roots due to disc herniation or spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar region. Depending on the severity of the compression and/or inflammation of the sciatic nerve components, sciatica may extend into the buttock area, into the thigh, or sometimes all the way down the leg to the foot.

Piriformis syndrome is sometimes called false sciatica, because instead of actual nerve irritation, it is caused by referral pain.) caused by tight knots of contraction in the piriformis muscle, which attaches to the upper femur bone and then runs across the back of the pelvis to the outside edge of the sacrum, the triangular pelvic bone at the base of the spine. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome are very similar and may be indistinguishable from true sciatica.

In some cases, piriformis syndrome may cause true sciatic nerve irritation, as the sciatic nerve may run underneath or even through the middle of the piriformis, so contraction of the piriformis may produce sufficient compression of the sciatic nerve to produce actual nerve symptoms. This is one of the main sources of confusion when it comes to distinguishing true sciatica from piriformis syndrome.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of true sciatica are very similar to piriformis syndrome. Both cause pain, tingling, burning, "electrical shock" sensations, and/or numbness down the leg, often all the way to the foot. Add to this that the underlying causes of both sciatica and piriformis syndrome can be related to biomechanical problems in the spine and pelvic joints, and the fact that the two conditions can be present at the same time, even doctors may have a difficult time distinguishing between the two.

But since the most effective treatment for the two conditions varies signficantly, it is important to determine the correct diagnosis if at all possible. In most cases there is an easy way to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

Two simple maneuvers will distinguish sciatica from piriformis syndrome in the majority of cases (when the problem is one versus the other and not both conditions at the same time). First, in a seated position, if one straightens the leg on the painful side (so that the leg is parallel to the floor), and the sciatica symptoms increase, this is usually a sign of true sciatic nerve irritation.

The second maneuver is done in two parts. First, from the sitting position one bends the leg and pulls the knee on the painful side towards the same-side shoulder. In all but the most severe cases, there is usually no major increase in pain in this position. The second part of the maneuver is to pull the knee toward the opposite side shoulder. An increase in the sciatica-like symptoms is a strong indication of piriformis syndrome.

It is important to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome, because the treatment for the conditions varies, and getting the diagnosis right typically leads to more effective treatment.

By: George Best

Technorati Tags: Nerve Pain, piriformissyndrome, sciatica

A large amount of confusion and misunderstanding exists concerning the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. There are some who insist that the two conditions are actually the same thing, but even though they can have symptoms that are very much alike, the underlying causes differ.

Sciatica refers to irritation of the sciatic (often mis-spelled as syatic or psyatic) nerve, that arises from nerve roots in the lumbar spine. The most common cause of sciatic nerve irritation, or "true" sciatica is compression of one or more of its component nerve roots due to disc herniation or spinal degeneration in the lower lumbar region. Sciatica usually begins in the buttock area and, depending on the severity of the underlying nerve comression and inflammation, may extend down the entire leg to the ankle and foot.

Piriformis syndrome, also known as "pseudo-sciatica" (meaning "false sciatica"), is actually referral pain and other symptoms (tingling, numbness, etc.) caused by tight knots of contraction in the piriformis muscle, which attaches to the upper femur bone and then runs across the back of the pelvis to the outside edge of the sacrum, the triangular pelvic bone at the base of the spine. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome are very similar and may be indistinguishable from true sciatica.

In some cases, piriformis syndrome may cause true sciatic nerve irritation, as the sciatic nerve may run underneath or even through the middle of the piriformis, so contraction of the piriformis may produce sufficient compression of the sciatic nerve to produce actual nerve symptoms. This is one of the main sources of confusion when it comes to distinguishing true sciatica from piriformis syndrome.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of true sciatica are very similar to piriformis syndrome. Both cause pain, tingling, burning, "electrical shock" sensations, and/or numbness down the leg, often all the way to the foot. In addition, both sciatica and piriformis syndrome tend to be at least partially related to biomechanical functional problems in the joints of the back and pelvis and they may even be present simultaneously in the same person, so it an be difficult to tell them apart.

But since the most effective treatment for the two conditions varies signficantly, it is important to determine the correct diagnosis if at all possible. In most cases there is an easy way to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

In most cases,sciatica can be differentiated from piriformis syndrome with a couple of simple test maneuvers. To begin, from a seated position, one straightens the knee on the side of sciatic pain, holding the leg out straight and parallel to the floor, and if this position causes an increas in symptoms, it is a good indicator of true sciatica.

The second  is done in two parts. First, from the sitting position one bends the leg and pulls the knee on the painful side towards the same-side shoulder. In all but the most severe cases, there is usually no major increase in pain in this position. The second half of the test is to stretch the knee (on the painful side) towards the opposite shoulder. An increase in the sciatica-like symptoms is a strong indication of piriformis syndrome.

It is important to distinguish between sciatica and piriformis syndrome, because the treatment for the conditions varies, and getting the diagnosis right typically leads to more effective treatment.

By: Dr. George Best

Sciatica
Piriformis syndrome is another common scapegoat for symptoms relating to nerve constriction by the powerful piriformis muscle deep in the pelvis. Finally, non-specific muscular impairmen.

Piriformis muscle Syndrome or Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment.
There is considerable confusion regarding the conditions sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Some think that they are the same thing, but although they have very similar symptoms in many.

All About Piriformis Muscle
However, finding that right exercise and doing it regularly to get rid of the pain depends on the exact cause of sciatica. Your sciatica may be due to herniated disc or it may be due to .

Technorati Tags: nervepain, piriformissyndrome, sciatica

Most of us have a vague idea of what sciatica is. If you know anything, it may be that sciatica is some sort of pinched nerve and lower back problem that afflicts the over-40 crowd.

But there is more to sciatica than that, and some of it might surprise you.

What is Sciatica?

In clinical terms, sciatica is pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve . It is usually caused by one of three things: piriformis syndrome, irritation of the sacroiliac, or herniated disc.

Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis (or large muscle inside your butt) gets irritated, swells and squeezes your sciatic nerve. Piriformis syndrome is literally a "pain in the butt".

Irritation of the sacrum ligaments (called sacro-iliac) - The sacrum is a bony wedge that sits at the base of your spine and keeps your pelvis in place. What’s strange about it is that there are no muscles to hold it in place–only ligaments–which means that your sacrum depends on body balance and alignment to stay in place. It’s easy to see then, that if your hips or pelvis get nudged out of alignment, those ligaments will twist and turn, causing sharp, excruciating pain in the pelvis, hip and numbness down the leg.

A herniated disc happens when the outer wall of a disc in your back ruptures and allows the pulp of the disc to squeeze out and rake against the largest nerve in your body (the sciatic nerve). Ouch! Lots of things can cause the disc to erupt, but for the most part, the disc starts with a tiny, insignificant tear that left alone would heal. But under pressure that outer wall (called the "annulus fibrosis") gets squeezed and pinched, until it cannot hold any longer. The wall ruptures!

How Sciatica Happens at Any Age

There is a long list of scenarios and lifestyles that can create the kind of torque needed to twist your sacroiliac, irritate your piriformis and burst the wall of a disc. But chief among them are: leaning to one side, sitting on uneven surfaces, straining with one leg over and over again, and recovering from knee surgery. A 45-year-old man driving an 18-wheeler 10 to 12 hours a day, day after day. A thirty-something woman standing in front of a class of fifth graders while leaning on one leg, year after year.

What’s interesting is that, with all we know today about ergonomics and back strain, you’re probably not surprised that truck drivers and teachers get sciatica at a pretty steady clip. But what about the hip hop crowd? Those 16-year-old boys with their oversized pants slung low and cool with deep pockets. Those pants have created a whole generation of young men who sit tipped sideways atop their wallets. Day after day, hour after hour, they are tipping their backs out of alignment, and putting their sciatic nerve under intense pressure.

Treating the Symptoms or the Root Cause?

You have a lot of choices when it comes to treating sciatica, and each depends on where the symptoms originate. Some choose surgery to fix a herniated disc, some choose steroid shots poked directly into their hip to get at the piriformis. Others choose anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling around their sacroiliac ligaments. But none of those treatments gets to the ROOT of the problem. As mentioned above, all sciatic nerve problems have similar symptoms: pain in the lower back or pelvic area and numbness down one leg. But the ROOT of all of them is EXACLTY the same — a body out of alignment. And for that, Structural Integration is the only answer.

Structural Integration (SI) is designed to relieve pain AND to get inside and fix the root cause of the problem. I approach clients in a 10-session methodology to systematically relax and loosen muscle, ligaments, tendons, etc. layer-by-layer. With each session and each layer, I move closer to the CAUSE of your pain until I am able to gently reach in and untwist myofascial adhesios and fibrotic ligaments. This approach also soothes muscles in spasm and takes pressure off discs. Then I will realign your pelvis, back, hips, knees, feet and more, until they settle into perfect alignment. Your back, leg, and pelvis will balance, and you won’t live in fear of the next time your sciatica will flare up -because it won’t.

Sciatica Pain Treatment Symptoms
This can be the cause for sciatic pain but it is equally important to note that many people with herniated discs may not experience any pain at all.

Sciatica a pain for all ages
most of us have a vague idea of what sciatica is. if you know anything, it may be that sciatica is some sort of pinched nerve and lower back problem that afflicts the over-40 crowd.

Pain Causes And Symptoms
Hip pain can have many causes and can happen at all ages, though for very different reasons. One of the most common causes of hip pain if you are elderly is arthritis.

By: Joe Ackerman

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

1. MedicineNet.com; What is Sciatica? - www.medicinenet.

Osteopathic Treatment of Back Pain, and Sciatica

Steven Pratsides has over 22 years experience in the treatment of a very wide range of musculo-skeletal complaints including lower back pain, sciatica, neck pain, sports injuries, postural and occupational stress and strain.

Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica

Sciatica is a common problem. The lifetime prevalence of low back pain is around 70% and it account for 4% of GP consultation. About 5% of people with low back pain have nerve root pain.

Technorati Tags: nervepain, piriformissyndrome, sciatica