Sciatica causes a disabling pain that is felt in the buttocks and oftentimes down the back of the leg. It can either be referred from the lower back or the sciatic nerve may be compressed by the piriformis muscle in the buttocks region.
Either way, there is too much tension through the lumbar spine and/or too much tension through the muscle. This generally happens because something is working too much and something is not working enough.
Most people who experience sciatica will need postural re-education. Oftentimes, people who stand squeezing their buttock cheeks together experience sciatica.
Treating sciatica means addressing the following (also see the images below):
- The larger gluteal muscles need to be taught how to engage in order to help support the body
- The piriformis muscle needs lengthening
- The hips need to be realigned
- The core stabilizing muscles need to work so the lower back won’t have to work as hard
Daily postural changes are made which are easily integrated into someone’s day.
