"Sciatica" Pain and Symptoms
The Trigger Points that Cause Sciatica
Sciatica Causes
"Sciatica" is a non-specific term that describes pain (and/or numbness or tingling sensations) that travel from the buttocks down the back (or side) of the leg. Sciatica symptoms can have various causes. Typically, this type of pain is generally associated with the compression of the sciatic nerve by a damaged or prolapsed spinal disc. This situation is very serious and produces a pain that is nearly constant and unbearable. Surgery is the only viable option in this situation.
Radiating pain or numbness that "comes and goes" with your activities and body position, suggests that a muscular source is the cause, and not a disc herniation. Trigger points in the buttock and hip regions can easily produce sciatica symptoms. Typically, trigger point produced sciatica symptoms occur secondarily to a previous (or concurrent) low back or hip pain disorder.
The Muscles and Trigger Points that Cause Sciatica
Trigger points in the following two muscle groups can produce sciatica symptoms:
"Sciatica" is a non-specific term that describes pain (and/or numbness or tingling sensations) that travel from the buttocks down the back (or side) of the leg. Sciatica symptoms can have various causes. Typically, this type of pain is generally associated with the compression of the sciatic nerve by a damaged or prolapsed spinal disc. This situation is very serious and produces a pain that is nearly constant and unbearable. Surgery is the only viable option in this situation.
Radiating pain or numbness that "comes and goes" with your activities and body position, suggests that a muscular source is the cause, and not a disc herniation. Trigger points in the buttock and hip regions can easily produce sciatica symptoms. Typically, trigger point produced sciatica symptoms occur secondarily to a previous (or concurrent) low back or hip pain disorder.
The Muscles and Trigger Points that Cause Sciatica
Trigger points in the following two muscle groups can produce sciatica symptoms:
- The Gluteus Minimus
- The Piriforrmis
The
Gluteus Minimus
is a small, fan-shaped muscle group that lies deep
in the buttock region, just above and behind the
hip joint. It attaches to the pelvic bone and runs
downward to attach to the thigh bone (the femur)
near the hip joint. Like the larger Gluteus Medius
muscle group that lies over it, the Gluteus Minimus
functions to stabilize the pelvis during walking
and other upright activities. Gluteus Minimus
trigger points can refer pain to the hip joint,
buttocks, down the back of the leg to the calf, and
down the outside of the leg to the ankle. These
trigger points can be activated by trigger points
in the
Quadratus
Lumborum
muscle group, by long periods of immobilization, or
by the abnormal body mechanics that are created
when a person must limp for any reason.
Additionally, men may activate these trigger points
by sitting on a large wallet that is kept in the
back pocket.
The trigger points in this muscle can be divided into two groups. The posterior trigger points, typically three or four in number, refer pain to buttocks, back of the thigh, and calf regions. The lateral trigger points lie directly above the hip joint and refer pain to the outside buttock, hip joint, outside thigh, and lower leg regions.
The trigger points in this muscle can be divided into two groups. The posterior trigger points, typically three or four in number, refer pain to buttocks, back of the thigh, and calf regions. The lateral trigger points lie directly above the hip joint and refer pain to the outside buttock, hip joint, outside thigh, and lower leg regions.
The
Piriformis
muscle is a short, small muscle that is located
deep in the buttock region. It functions to rotate
the thigh, and helps to stabilize the hip joint
during walking. This muscle lies next to a major
nerve (the Sciatic Nerve) and blood vessels.
Trigger points in this muscle can cause it to
become tense enough for it to entrap or compress
the nerve and blood vessel, producing systems such
as pain, numbness, and swelling that travel down
the leg from the gluteal region. When this
entrapment occurs, it is termed
Piriformis Syndrome.
Clinical studies suggest that sciatica symptoms are
cuased by Piriformis syndrome more often than they
are caused by a spinal disc rupture or prolapse.
Additionally, the Piriformis trigger points may refer pain to the Sacro-Iliac Joint, buttock, and hip joint regions. This referred pain may occur with the other symptoms created by entrapment of the sciatic nerve.
Additionally, the Piriformis trigger points may refer pain to the Sacro-Iliac Joint, buttock, and hip joint regions. This referred pain may occur with the other symptoms created by entrapment of the sciatic nerve.
Important:
The following content is provided for information
purposes only. A proper diagnosis of any condition
requires a physical examination by a licensed
doctor.