SCIATICA

Sciatica is a painful syndrome which is caused by compression or irritation of a nerve deep in the buttock and down the leg, called the Sciatic nerve.

The pain associated with sciatica can be caused by a number of underlying conditions. These may include: a herniated (bulging) disc in the lower back, bony growths on the spine, arthritis in the low back or hip, tight muscles in the buttock or trauma to the lower back. Sciatica may also be present during pregnancy due to the altered mechanics of the pelvis and low back as the baby grows and develops.

• Pain in the buttock or down the leg
• Numbness
• Muscular weakness
• Pins and needles
• Tingling
• Difficulty in moving or controlling the leg

Sciatica is most commonly felt in one leg at a time, and can range from a dull ache to an incapacitating pain. People with Sciatica may find that they have their symptoms all the time, or the symptoms may come and go depending on certain things such as the time of day or different activities that the person has been undertaking.

Manual Therapy – helps by relaxing the muscles, reducing inflammation and restoring range of motion through the vertebral segments

Shock Wave Therapy – helps by stimulating healing of the injured structures of the lower back such as the joints, ligaments and muscles.

Platelet Rich Plasma – helps by using the plasma (rich in growth factors) component of your blood which stimulates healing of the injured structures of the lower back.

Prolotherapy helps by stimulating healing by utlilising glucose. This helps heal the areas of the lower back such as the joints, ligaments or nerve that may be irritated.