16/09/2025
🌟 Understanding Sciatica – Where It Comes From and Why
Sciatica isn’t a condition on its own – it’s a set of symptoms. If you’ve felt sharp, burning, or shooting pain that runs from your lower back or buttock down your leg – sometimes one, sometimes both – often with tingling or numbness, that’s sciatica at work.
🔎 Where it comes from
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It starts in the lower spine, travels through the pelvis and gluteal region, and runs all the way down the leg. Sciatica happens when this nerve is compressed or irritated anywhere along its path.
⚡ Why it happens
The most common causes include:
• Disc changes – a bulging or herniated disc pressing on a nerve root
• Degenerative changes – age-related narrowing of the spinal canal
• Muscle tension – tight glutes or piriformis muscle irritating or compressing the nerve
• Joint restriction – reduced mobility in the spine or pelvis altering mechanics
🔹 The osteopathic perspective
From an osteopathic view, sciatica usually develops when multiple stressors overlap – posture, load, repetitive strain, old injuries, and daily habits. On their own, these may not cause a problem, but together they can tip the body out of balance, leading to nerve irritation.
Osteopathic treatment aims to:
✔ Restore mobility in the spine, pelvis, and hips
✔ Ease muscle tension that may compress the nerve
✔ Improve circulation to support natural healing
✔ Provide education and strategies to reduce recurrence
Sciatica reflects an underlying problem or dysfunction. Osteopathy targets the root cause, supporting recovery and helping prevent it from returning.
