Sciatica

Sciatica

Sciatica is commonly self diagnosed- although not all leg pain is caused by the sciatic nerve. The term is reserved specifically for a collection of symptoms caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of Sciatica Whenever a nerve is irritated like this,...
Red Flags for Lower Back Pain

Red Flags for Lower Back Pain

Osteopaths are well known for treating lower backs- but there are a number of red flags that we need to be aware of. These are signs of a potentially dangerous problem that need an urgent referral to a GP or hospital. What Can’t We Treat? We can treat...
Referred Pain

Referred Pain

We’re generally quite familiar with pain being caused in one area of the body and felt in another. One example of this is sciatica. This is where a nerve is irritated, and symptoms are felt along the length of it. Referred pain has some similarities, but is a...
Piriformis Syndrome

Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis muscle is one of the deepest muscles in the buttock, and the sciatic nerve runs nearby. For some people (approximately 20% of the population), the nerve actually runs through the muscle itself – chances are you would never know if that’s the...
Sciatica and Osteopathy

Sciatica and Osteopathy

The sciatic nerve runs down the back of the leg, and when it is irritated, it causes sciatica. Sciatica is simply a collection of symptoms from the sciatic nerve, such as a shooting pain, pins and needles, or numbness. These symptoms will be in the back of the leg,...