Sciatica is a broad term often used to describe symptoms that run down the leg; pain, tingling and numbness. However true sciatica involves the pinching or irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower spine and the pain signals are then sent down the length of the nerve. This can occur when there is damage to the spine and spinal discs.
There are however other very common situations where there is radiating pain down the leg and the cause is a muscular one. These are the situations we will be talking about today.
Piriformis and It’s Syndrome
Piriformis is a short small muscle that lies deep in the buttock region. It acts to rotate the hip and stabilise the leg when walking. When this muscle is shortened and tense, the trigger points that develop can refer pain around the sacroilliac joint, the hip, around the buttock and down the back of the leg.
Piriformis also lies next to the sciatic nerve and major blood vessels, when the muscle spasms or is overused it can reproduce sciatic symptoms. This is known as piriformis syndrome, in 15 -30% of the population the sciatic nerve actually runs through this muscle and they are thought to be much more likely to suffer from piriformis syndrome.
Gluteus Minimus
Gluteus minimus is the smallest of the three main gluteal muscles and it functions mainly to support the pelvis when we are on one leg as well as take the leg away from the body. When trigger points develop in this muscle, pain can follow one of two patterns depending on which trigger points are active. Pain can either travel down the side of the thigh to the lower leg and ankle or down the back of the leg to the calf. It can also be felt directly in the hip join,t making it very painful get to sleep on the affected side.
This muscle is also prone to developing trigger points when there are trigger points present in the muscles of the lower back (quadratus lumborum) as well as when there are long periods of inactivity and from compression such as sitting on a wallet when driving.
So if you have been suffering from back and leg pain and no cause has been established, clear MRI’s, x-rays etc, it is quite likely that trigger points in this area are the culprits! In the case where there is an impingement of the sciatic nerve, releasing muscle contraction in this area can help offer the sufferer some relief from symptoms. Massage and Muscle therapy for Pain Relief. Relieve pain by relieving trigger points and contracted muscles. Very effective treatment for back and neck pain, sciatica, hip and leg pain, headaches, repetitive strain injuries and much more.