Back Pain

Low Back Pain and Sciatic Nerve Syndrome at the Trauma Recovery Clinic

Low Back Pain and Sciatic Nerve Syndrome are usually due to soft tissue restrictions and adhesions, arising either from tight and shortened, overloaded muscles, overstretched muscles, or areas of fascial adhesions in which movement is not possible without the restriction of pain sensitive structures. At the Trauma Recovery Clinic we seek to release muscles, trigger points and fascia all around the affected area and to teach simple exercises and stretches which will bring relief and keep the area from becoming restricted again.

Sciatic Nerve Syndrome

Sciatic Nerve Syndrome is not necessarily caused by nerve impingement at the spine. Check with your doctor to eliminate this cause. In most cases it is more usually caused by the restriction of the sciatic nerve as it passes through the pelvic area, through the piriformis muscle and its fascial surrounding. This muscle can become extremely hard – more like bone – when tightened and restricted and will exert pressure on the sciatic nerve as it passes either through it or between the muscle and the pelvic bone. Release of the nerve’s surrounding muscles and fascia releases the sciatic nerve and addresses the cause of the symptoms.

Trigger point therapy

Treatment involves locating and releasing trigger points. Trigger points are areas of muscle fibres which are permanently contracted and sometimes painful to touch. They cause the entire muscle to shorten and tighten, and refer pain to other areas. Very often we will work in an area which is removed from the area of pain. The result is a significant reduction or elimination of pain in the affected area, although it has not been directly treated. Trigger point therapy is always accompanied by local fascial release, because if the fascia in the area of a trigger point has not been released, the trigger point is likely to return.

Fascial Release

As well as trigger point release we look for areas of fascia which have been adhesed and are restricting normal functioning in their own and other areas. We use specific techniques for releasing fascia and the nerves and other structures it bears down on when restricted. We also use soft tissue release and myofascial stretching to release restricted areas, allowing nerves and other structures to pass through unimpeded. For more information about Myofascial Release please see Our Approach

Movement and re-education

When muscles, fascia and trigger points have been released we help you develop posture or ways of working which will prevent Low Back Pain or Sciatic Nerve Syndrome from recurring. These may include exercises from Pilates or specific stretches. They will all be easily achievable and can usually be carried out discretely during the course of the day, even at the office.

How long will recovery take?

Usually, between 4 and 6, 55 minute MFR sessions at the Trauma Recovery Clinic bring about substantial decrease in low back pain and sciatic syndrome. Very often significant improvement is felt after the first or second treatment.