Hi all,
I have a problem with sciatica. I was advised by a GP some 15 years ago that the pain going down my legs was Sciatica. The pain was annoying affected both left and right sides from time to time . It has been this way up to about 9 months ago and it has got progressively worse. I did see a Bowen therapist and am training to be one myself and this helped alleviate for about 4 weeks, but since October it has just got worse and worse.
A trip to the Doctors resulted in anti inflammatory medication. This had no effect.
I then went to an Osteo in early Jan and have had 6 sessions. As the left side was worse with a deep pain in the gluteal muscles over the piriformis area and pain down the hamstrings finishing at the knee this area was worked on first. After 3 sessions I had less pain walking, but more pain sitting and rising and the right side became worse. I have now had 3 treatments on the right side and the last one was done with a lot of strength to get to the muscles.
Now 7 days later I still do not have a great deal of relief. I seem to get really numb sitting and am constantly shifting around. When I sleep the pain seems to go down the ITB as well as the hamstrings and in the gluts. When I walk and stand the pain is at its worst with a really deep ache into the hips.
The Osteo did not book another session as I think he thought with the strength he used in the last session the pain should have lifted.
I am so sorry for the length of this monologue!!
Should I persevere or return to Bowen or perhaps Acupuncture. A big question to ask I know.
Yours desperately
Tracey:(
I would go for Bowen first.
My husband recently did major damage to his SIJ and had almost instant relief with Bowen (3 sessions, but really only needed 2!) He has had acupuncture many times over the years but found Bowen to be the most effective - in his particular case - it will, inevitably, be different for others.
Do I read you correctly? Numbness in the saddle area tends to be considered a case for accident and emergency, especially if there is any difficulty with bowel or bladder control, either starting or stopping. Before answering the main question can I urge you to call NHS direct and just run over your symptoms with them. Best wishes.
Hi Kvdp,
I have no issue with bladder or bowel control, just a numb bum when I've been sitting for a while.
Definitely feels muscular or sciatic related. My main reason for posting was to check whether I should have achieved some level of consistent relief from the pain after 6 sessions.
I know this is a difficult question to answer without a consultation and diagnosis, I'm just looking for advice as to number of treatments that are usual.
Thanks
Since Bowen gave you relief, I would suggest that you go back for some more. Are you still in training - if so, would it be worth asking your tutor to see what he/she thinks.
I have found that using Bowen with Emmett technique has allowed me to get really good results with people with long term back and sciatica problems. Where are you based?
Have a look at the emmett website, there is a short list of practitioners:
If you can't find someone close to you then pm me or contact Debbie [dktherapy] to see if there is someone else who hasn't yet listed on the site.
Best wishes - it's not a good thing to suffer
Cheers
Judith
Ok then probably no emergency but no harm running it by gp again or nhs direct all the same. Generally speaking osteopathy certainly can be appropriate in cases like this, but the practitioner is more important than the title. Usually I'd expect the patient to know by this stage if they are getting somewhere, even if full recovery takes much longer. So if you have doubts, it may well be time to change. In my view the vision of the therapist is more important than they system they subscribe to, there is a lot of variation of approach and opinion, even within professions. So really the thing to do is ask friends and colleagues who they have been to and what they thought of them. However, it might be a good idea to explain your concerns to your osteopath before continuing and see what he says.
hi there, google piriformis syndrome and see if you recognise any of the symptoms.
Thumb up!
I do not have real sciatica, but some symptoms... and I was given exercices to stretch my tight piriformis.
Test for a shortened piriformis:
Lie on your back and check for a turned out foot (may be both). The one more noticeably out should match the side of the pain (or most painful side).
You might compare with someone else.
The opposite movement, force your feet to turn inside, could be painful for the piriformis. This is a stretching movement for this muscle.
This shortened muscle can result in sciatic pain, as well as numbness!
Also some pain or discomfort in hip, buttock, groin and coccyx area.
This can come from a lack of warm-up in sport, but also I believe (as this is my case) in a weakness of the quadriceps.
Then some stretching techniques should be used.
Hi Frans,
hopefully you are getting relief now?
So often people are misdiagnosed as having sciatica when there are very simple tests that sports therapists use to assess for piriformis syndrome.
With a good stretching and strengthening programme you should be fine. One other thing I would check, if you haven't already, is your pelvis, to see if there are any tilts etc.
Richard
Hi Richard,
"misdiagnosed"... the word I hate most!
Did you know the test I mention? What are your tests?
About pelvis... well my hip bones are tilted... I am twisted... the karma of a cork screw!! 😮
It used to be worse, I am not so bad, but my body is fed up with osteopathy at the moment and does not react any more. Let's wait it cooperates again...
Hi Frans,
if you PM me with your email address I will send you some photos of the tests im talking about.
I think you should get your pelvis sorted, or your piriformis will probably struggle.
I have never been a great believer of long term manipulation, and most of my osteo/chiro friends agree with me (thankfully), so maybe try some gentle mobilisations of the hips, which, when combined with myofascial release works wonders at creating full stability in your hips (combined with your stretching and strengthening work too)
Richard
Now we try the Dr Furter method on muscles...
Ok, I PM...
Make sure you do the simple things to help yourself, for example how old is your box spring. Try putting a 2x6 lengthwise under where you sleep, if it was a problem you should feel some relief in a few days especially if you sleep alot on your side. Are you seriously overweight? That can add to the problem. When you were younger did you play any sports that exercise one half of the body more than the other, you may be suffering from a muscle imbalance. Grey Cooks book on this is pretty good. Do you do regular stretching is important also. If their is a muscle imbalance, work on strengthening the weak side.
I know you are right....
I have a slatted bed case and a very good mattress.
I am thin.
I never played tennis but was riding... and falling. That's the problem.
I do stretching but I think that releasing the tight muscles first is better than strengthening the weak ones, as I have fibrosis on both sides.
Hi Tranquil,
Not all Osteo's are alike, compare. Here in the States most do not manipulate anymore. Greenmans "principles of manual medicine" gives a comprehensive series of tests and stretches. Rolfing may be worth trying as they can loosen tight areas and in the east the Czech republic is where interesting work is coming out of, for example Janda.
Now we try the Dr Furter method on muscles...
Do you know this method? It comes from Switzerland...
No, I don't. I did a search and could not find anything. Post a link if you have one.