Sciatica

Sciatica (referred leg pain):

A true sciatic pain/sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve, which characteristically sends pain down a patients’ leg, beyond their knee (if it is not beyond the knee, it is doubtful you have a true sciatica). The most common reason for this condition to occur is from a low back injury/dysfunction that is causing a secondary irritation/interference with the sciatic nerve. It is also quite common for a tight muscle in the buttocks/glute region to compress the sciatic nerve and create the textbook symptoms down the leg.

The sciatic nerve is made up of three nerves (L4, L5 and S1) which have different referral patterns. Following appropriate history and physical exam, a CCST practitioner will be able to identify the cause and the main location of what may be causing you to feel sciatica.