Condition · Back & Spine
Sciatica
How Myofascial Release addresses it, and what to expect.
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down each leg. Sciatica typically occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along its pathway. The pain can range from mild to severe and may affect one side of the body. Sciatica is often caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or bone spurs that put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Why fascia is involved
The sciatic nerve is squeezed on its way through the pelvis.
The sciatic nerve leaves the lower spine, passes through the deep muscles of the buttock and travels down the leg inside a sleeve of fascia. Restriction anywhere along that route, in the lower back, the pelvic floor, the piriformis muscle or the hamstrings, can compress and irritate the nerve and send pain, tingling or numbness down the leg. Disc problems are one cause; tight fascia in the pelvis is another and is frequently overlooked.
Myofascial Release relieves sciatica by creating space along the whole path of the nerve. Sustained, gentle pressure releases the lower back, sacrum, buttocks, hips, pelvic floor and leg, easing compression rather than treating the leg pain in isolation. Many people find the radiating pain recedes as the tissue around the nerve softens.
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