County Osteopaths : Sciatica

Pain, tingling, numbness, weakness and odd sensations such as fluttering, heat or cold that are felt in the back or side of the thigh, or anywhere below the knee may well be sciatica.

Trapped nerves in your neck cause similar symptoms to sciatica but in your arm and hand instead of your leg.

The area of the leg / arm affected indicates which nerve is being irritated or compressed. Causes of compression / irritation may include an inflamed spinal joint, excessive muscle tightness or a slipped disc.

Osteopathic treatment for sciatica and other trapped nerves may help.

In the first consultation we will investigate the precise cause of the nerve irritation / compression and treat you specifically for it. Advice will be taylored to your particular needs.

As you get better the symptoms may move out of your leg or arm and into your back or neck, before disappearing altogether. This is called “centralising” and it shows improvement.

There are other complaints which may cause pain and odd sensations in your limbs. An Osteopath’s assessment is extremely thorough so that any conditions that might need referral to a Doctor will be picked up. If your sciatica / trapped nerve needs investigating further we may refer you for tests or to an Orthopaedic Consultant.

Osteopathic treatment may also help cases of “neuralgia” e.g trigeminal neuralgia.