Being a chiropractor I regularly get people who visit my clinic with sciatica. Sciatica is a very general term which describes symptoms associated with compression of the sciatic nerve by some type of problem in the lower back. The symptoms include a burning, tingling or shooting electric shock type pain down the buttock and down the leg or sciatica can present as a dull ache in the glute and back of the leg.

There are also several conditions the mimic sciatica but are in fact very different.

• Joint problems in the lumbar spine- Joint problems such as an inflamed lumbar joint or arthritis can cause pain to refer from the joint into the leg.

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is very common and causes lower back and hip pain with referral into the leg as well. Too much or too little motion at the SI joint can cause pain lower back pain and sciatic like symptoms. Chiropractic care can be used for settling SI joint problems as chiropractors can restore proper correct motion and alignment to the SI joint, allowing this injury to heal.

• Piriformis Syndrome- The piriformis muscle is a deep hip stabiliser which passes directly over the sciatic nerve. When this muscle becomes very tight or inflamed it can compress the sciatic nerve which causes sciatica symptoms. What makes this condition even more complicated is that the referral zone for active trigger points in the muscle is also down the back of the leg. So when active trigger points are present in the piriformis it can also mimic sciatica. Treatment for this condition usually includes stretching and trigger point therapy as well as identifying which factors may be causing it to tighten up in the first place. Chiropractors can also adjust the hip and pelvis which may be able to release the tension in this muscle.