23/02/2026
Shooting pain down your leg? It might not be what you think.
That sharp pain down your leg is hard to ignore. But did you know what feels like sciatica isn't always true sciatica? It usually falls into two camps: true nerve irritation or referred pain. Here is how to tell the difference—and how osteopathy helps.
⚡ True Nerve Irritation (Sciatica)
The Cause: The sciatic nerve is directly pinched or inflamed, often by a bulging disc in the lower back.
The Feeling: A sharp, electric pain shooting past the knee down into your calf or foot. It’s frequently accompanied by tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness.
🔄 Referred Pain
The Cause: You feel pain in your thigh or buttock, but the problem originates from a joint or muscle spasm in your back or pelvis.
The Feeling: A dull, deep ache that usually stops above the knee. It does not involve tingling, numbness, or true muscle weakness.
👐 How Osteopathy Helps
I focus on finding and treating the mechanical root cause.
I meticulously assess your spine to find the exact issues causing your pain. Through hands-on mobilisation and soft tissue release, I can restore normal mechanics and improve your pain.
For more information on how I can help you with your pain, comment “PAIN” in the comments.
