Sciatica is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It’s characterized by aching, tingling sensations, and burning or shooting pain in the buttocks and down the leg into the foot. There are other symptoms such as reduced sensation or numbness, tingling, pins and needles sensation and even loss of function. True sciatica involves irritation in the spinal cord to the sciatic nerve. That could be caused by more serious pathology. Nerve root impingement or spinal cord has to be assessed and diagnosed by a health care professional.
Sciatica symptoms
Sciatica symptoms can also be caused by irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The muscle impingement by a tight piriformis muscle. Sports massage is beneficial for sciatic nerve irritation if there is muscle cause. It will relax the tight muscle tissue and release the pressure on the nerve.
Piriformis syndrome is due to impingement of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. Improper gait or incorrect form contributes to inflexibility and tightness in the piriformis. The condition is more common in women than in men (6:1). When the piriformis muscle gets tight it puts pressure on the nerve that causes pain very similar to sciatica. The pain radiates down the back of the thigh from the middle gluteal region.
Cause of injury
Incorrect gait or form when walking or running. Tight adductor muscles or weakness in gluteal muscles.
Piriformis syndrome signs and symptoms
Pain walking up an incline or when climbing stairs. Pain along the sciatic nerve. Pain after long sitting.
Complications if left unattended
If left untreated, the chronic pain will result. The tight muscle may cause stress on the tendons and points of attachment.
Piriformis syndrome immediate treatment
RICER. Anti-inflammatory medication and diet. Sports massage is very beneficial for piriformis syndrome to encourage blood circulation and healing. Application of heat.
Piriformis syndrome rehabilitation and prevention
During rehabilitation, stretching of the hip muscles and a gradual return to activity is vital. Start with a lower duration or exercise intensity. Finding out what caused the problem is very important. Increasing the flexibility of the adductors and strengthening the gluteal muscles. It will help to alleviate some of the tension and prevent the piriformis from getting tight. Keeping a scheduled regimen to keep the piriformis muscle flexible will help while dealing with other problems.
Long-term prognosis
When piriformis syndrome is treated properly it does not lead to long-term problems. Rarely, an invasive method or a corticosteroid injection could be required to relieve symptoms.
Sciatica treatment Watford – Sports massage Watford
A sports massage Watford concentrates on the gluteus muscles and lower back. The group of gluteal muscles includes the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and the tensor fasciae latae. A sports massage uses a variety of techniques like STR or MET to help release muscle tightness and tension. A sports massage aims to release muscle tightness and reduce pain. Our sports massage therapist at Lucas Massage Therapy uses sports massage to help reduce pain, tension and tightness of the muscles.
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Sports Massage for sciatica pain to help you feel better, move better & be pain-free
Benefits of Sports Massage for Sciatica Pain
Relaxes and Eases Tight Muscles
Sports Massage therapy will help to relax and ease muscle tension. releasing the lumbar, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and the piriformis. Soft tissue release will help to remove adhesions and scar tissue.
Improves Range of Movement
With the easing of affected muscles and reduced pain, patients will find that their range of motion and activity levels are improved.
Sports Massage in Watford for sciatica
Sports massage provides substantial healing, for many lower back pain problems. It will help to release muscle tension and alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve. It tackles the root cause of sciatica by unknotting trigger points from muscle tightness. A lower back massage focuses on muscles including the quadratus lumborum, latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae, located around the spine. One of the reasons for lower back pain is muscle tightness.
Sports massage has lots of benefits, specifically, for pain caused by sciatica. It helps warm up muscles and increase blood and lymphatic circulation, encouraging more healthy nutrients to be passed around the body and more toxins to be removed. A lower back massage uses a variety of different techniques to help treat a range of injuries. Our sports massage therapist at Lucas Massage Therapy uses lower back massage to help reduce sciatica pain, tension and tightness of the muscles.
Lucas Massage Therapy put together a newsletter looking at the topic of sciatica pain more broadly. If you’d like to download a copy, you can do so at the following link.
Sciatica exercises
