Sciatica treatment London: Sciatica or Piriformis syndrome?
Difference between sciatica, cruralgia and piriformis syndrome
Experiencing lower back and legs pain? If you're dealing with those, our osteopathic treatments can help alleviate your discomfort and improve your overall well-being.
Are you experiencing discomfort in your lower back or legs? Have you also noticed sensations of tingling or numbness in your legs? It's important to understand that these symptoms may not always be indicative of sciatica. Other conditions like cruralgia or piriformis syndrome could be the underlying issue.
A brief overview of anatomy:
The term "sciatica" may be familiar to you. Many individuals experience symptoms similar to those of sciatica. Sciatica is derived from the name of the longest nerve in the body, known as the sciatic nerve. Originating from the lower back in the spine, this nerve travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg to the foot. It is responsible for the sensation in the skin of the buttock, back of the thigh, leg, and foot, as well as for the functioning of the leg muscles. Additional nerves originating from the lower back extend to various areas of the body. For instance, the femoral nerve, also originating from the lower back and spine, travels to the front of the thigh.
What is sciatica?
The prevalence of sciatica is not as widespread as commonly perceived. It impacts approximately 1 to 5% of the UK population at some point in their lives. Sciatica manifests as pain and associated symptoms in the regions innervated by the sciatic nerve, often occurring in the buttocks, as well as the back and side of the thigh and leg. Unlike lower back pain, sciatica typically does not induce discomfort in the lower back. Symptoms of sciatica typically exacerbate during movement, sneezing, or coughing.
Sciatica is not a standalone diagnosis; rather, it encompasses a set of symptoms. The conditions that may lead to sciatica comprise a disc bulge in the spine or bone formation exerting pressure on the sciatic nerve.
What is Piriformis syndrome?
Piriformis syndrome is a relatively rare condition that impacts the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle, situated in the buttock area, is responsible for hip rotation. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome closely resemble those of sciatica, such as experiencing pain in the buttock area that may radiate as a shooting or burning sensation down the back of the leg. Additionally, piriformis syndrome can lead to numbness or tingling along the path of the sciatic nerve in the buttock, back of the leg, and thigh.
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle becomes irritated or inflamed, often due to injury or prolonged periods of sitting. This can impact the nearby sciatic nerve, which runs just behind the muscle. In rare instances, the sciatic nerve may pass directly through the piriformis muscle, leading to irritation and compression when the muscle is engaged.
It can be challenging to distinguish between piriformis syndrome and sciatica symptoms because they can be quite alike. A musculoskeletal specialist will inquire about your issue and conduct an evaluation to provide a clearer understanding of your symptoms.
Cruralgia: Another type of leg pain?
Cruralgia refers to the presence of pain and associated symptoms originating from the crural, sural, and femoral nerves. These nerves originate in the lower back and extend to the side and front of the thigh. Symptoms may manifest as a range of sensations, including burning or shooting pain, tingling, and numbness in the thigh area, and occasionally in the lower back.
Similarly to sciatica, cruralgia is not a specific diagnosis, but rather a set of symptoms that can be attributed to various conditions, including a herniated disc or compression of the nerves along their pathway.
Sciatica treatment London: In need of assistance with managing your pain, who would be the best person to reach out to?
If you are experiencing leg or back discomfort and seeking relief, manual therapy and targeted exercises can be effective in addressing your symptoms. Differentiating between piriformis syndrome, cruralgia, and sciatica symptoms can be challenging due to their similarities. It is advisable to schedule a consultation with a skilled musculoskeletal specialist, such as a physiotherapist or osteopath in your vicinity. The specialist will conduct an assessment to provide a more comprehensive understanding of your condition. Utilizing a holistic approach including hands-on treatment, acupuncture, or tailored exercises can aid in alleviating current discomfort and minimizing the likelihood of future occurrences.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about osteopathy, please contact us. You can find us just a few minutes walk from Clapham Common station. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
Many thanks to Lilou Convert from Lilou Convert Osteopathy for writing this blog. To learn more visit her website at: https://www.lilouconvert.com
References:
Gray’s Anatomy, 2020, 42nd Edition, Editor Susan Standring
100 CASES in Orthopaedics and Rheumatology , 2012 Parminder J. Singh and Catherine Swales
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica/
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/piriformis-syndrome