Can an Osteopath Help With Sciatica?

If you've ever had pain that starts in your lower back or buttock and travels down your leg, you'll know it can be pretty miserable.

It can make sitting uncomfortable, walking difficult and, if you're on holiday in Lanzarote, can put a real dampener on your plans.

You may have been told that you have sciatica. But what does that actually mean, and can an osteopath help?

What is sciatica?

Sciatica isn't really a diagnosis in itself. It's a description of pain that involves the sciatic nerve or one of the nerves that eventually form it.

It can cause pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness.

But there's an important point here:

Pain going down your leg doesn't automatically mean you have sciatica.

There are several things that can cause pain in the buttock or leg, and they don't all need the same treatment. That's why I think a proper assessment is important rather than simply assuming that any leg pain is “sciatica”.

So what causes it?

There are a number of possible causes.

Sometimes a disc in the lower back can irritate one of the nerves. Changes in the joints and other tissues around the spine can also play a part.

And sometimes what feels like sciatica isn't coming from the nerve at all. Muscles, joints and other structures around the lower back and pelvis can produce pain that travels into the leg.

This is something I see quite regularly in the clinic.

Where you feel the pain isn't always the same as where the problem is coming from.

Can an osteopath help with sciatica?

Often, yes — but it depends on what's causing your symptoms.

When I assess someone with back and leg pain, I don't just concentrate on the painful area.

I'll take a good look at your history and how the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and how your back, pelvis, hips and legs are moving. I'll also carry out appropriate orthopaedic and neurological tests where necessary.

From there, we can work out what is most likely contributing to your symptoms and, importantly, whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate.

Treatment might involve some hands-on work, but it isn't always about treatment alone. Exercise, movement and gradually rebuilding strength and confidence are often an important part of getting better too.

The aim isn't simply to get you out of pain for a few days. It's to help you understand what's going on and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.

Should you rest if you have sciatica?

This is one of the questions I'm asked quite often.

If you're in a lot of pain, you may need to back off certain activities for a while. But complete bed rest usually isn't the answer.

As your symptoms settle, gradually getting back to normal movement and activity is generally much more helpful.

The trick is finding the right level of activity for you — doing enough to keep things moving without continually aggravating your symptoms.

And if you're normally active, whether that's surfing, cycling, walking, running or going to the gym, the goal should be to get you back to those activities, rather than simply telling you to stop doing them.

When should you see your doctor?

Most back and leg pain isn't an emergency and can be assessed and managed conservatively.

However, there are some symptoms that need prompt medical attention.

If you develop significant or worsening weakness, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or problems controlling your bladder or bowel, you should seek urgent medical help.

Other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, fever, significant trauma or feeling unusually unwell may also need further medical investigation.

Knowing when a problem is appropriate for osteopathic treatment — and when it needs medical assessment — is an important part of my job.

Living in or visiting Lanzarote?

If you're living here or visiting Lanzarote and back or leg pain is stopping you doing the things you normally enjoy, I'm happy to take a look.

I've been working as an osteopath for over 30 years and have treated a lot of different types of back and musculoskeletal problems. Living and working in Lanzarote for many years has also meant treating plenty of active people — including surfers, cyclists and people who simply want to stay fit and mobile.

My approach is fairly simple:

Listen to what's going on, assess the problem properly, explain it to you and work out a practical plan to get you moving again.

If you'd like to discuss your symptoms or arrange an appointment, drop me a message at Jamie Last Osteopathy

Moving free from pain