Sciatica, anyone?

[PepperFritz]

I have recently discovered a "cure" for my sciatica, and thought I would post the details here, in case it may help someone else's situation.

I have suffered from sciatica for almost all of my life, and it has progressively worsened as I've grown older. After exploring every treatment imaginable, I had resigned myself to just living with it, and managing it as best I could. Then, about six months ago, I developed very painful tendonitis in my right foot, another condition I could find no relief for, no matter how many medical experts I visited. Finally, in desperation, I decided to spend the money to have a consultation with a Podiatrist (a medical specialist whose services are NOT covered by our national health care here in Canada).

The Podiatrist examined my feet and confirmed that I had tendonitis. He then studied my posture and walking patterns for some time, and to my surprise finally said "You have sciatica, don't you?" He went on to explain that I have one leg that is shorter than the other, which causes me to lean slightly to the side when walking and standing, pinching my sciatic nerve and probably causing my tendonitis as well. He advised that custom-made orthotics would correct the problem, but when he told me the cost involved, I was skeptical. "What if i spend all that money and it doesn't help? How can you be so sure that is the problem"? He assured me that he knew his specialty very well, and since he was very confident that he could help me through orthotics, he offered me a money-back guarantee. "If you do not experience significant improvement of your symptoms, I'll refund the cost of the orthotics".

Impressed by his confidence, I went ahead. Now, several months later, my sciatica has vanished, and the tendonitis in my foot has improved 90% (my podiatrist advises that I will attain 100% if I start wearing my orthotics in the house as well as outside).

There are many different possible causes for sciatica, and mine situation is only one. But in all the literature I have read on the subject, I have never seen any mention of posture and orthotics, and I wonder if there are a lot of other people that could be helped like I have been. If anyone on the forum suffers from sciatica, I think it would be worth the cost of a consultation with a good podiatrist (which here in Canada costs around $60.00) to find out if postural problems may play a role.

Warning: Orthotics are not cheap. The cost of the actual inserts plus the various office visits required came to just under $700. However, for me, the pain relief has been worth every penny.

 

[Jacques]

Hi PepperFritz,

I had the same problem many years ago. And one of my leg was shorter that the other one. Every time i was buying new pants, and that i wanted to have a stemline, i have to ask to measure both legs because they were not equal.

My chiro (years ago) fixed the problem in saying that it is not the legs which are not the same length but it is something, if i remember well, related to the pelvis.

So both legs are ok since that time and my sciatica problem has been fixed. And i do not need orthotics.

 

[durabone]

Hi PF;

I also had a similar experience. In my case, I had broken my ankle severely
and not re-habbed my whole leg after 16 weeks in a cast.

10 years later, it got intense. I found that my arches had collapsed, and that
the soles of my shoes were wearing differently, right vs. left.

Orthotics, exercise, and a few spasms later, my arches restored and are high
now. Relief. Been good since.

And I am glad you found some, too.

Namaste:

related to the pelvis

Apparently the two Ilium bones can get twisted wrt. the sacrum. There is a condition
known as "Piriformis Syndrome" (eg. _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome)
which describes this condition that you may find interesting.

db

 

[Jacques]

Hi PF;


Namaste:

related to the pelvis

Apparently the two Ilium bones can get twisted wrt. the sacrum. There is a condition
known as "Piriformis Syndrome" (eg. _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piriformis_syndrome)
which describes this condition that you may find interesting.

db

Indeed, it is the sacrum.

 

[Persej]

My father has a sciatica for a couple of years now. Recently, on the suggestion of his sister who has a pain in her knee and is taking some supplements for it, he started drinking the collagen peptides. And he says that after just one bottle (243g) he is pain free. But if the symptoms come back, I will suggest him some orthotics. He also complained that he feels like one leg is shorter than the other since the sciatica started.

 

[gottathink]

The sciatic nerve runs underneath the pirifomis muscle so the nerve become compressed when the muscle becomes chronically contracted. Piriformus syndrome (PS) is caused by the piriformus muscle having to work too hard due to poor biomechanics of the foot, knee ankle etc. This then means the entire posterior chain is not firing properly and the large gluteus muscles are not doing their job, the poor piriformus muscles try’s to help in extending the hip. It is not designed to do this as it is an external rotator of the femur not an extension prime mover.

An actual or apparent (twist of the hemi-pelvis-ie one side of the pelvis in relation to the other) leg length discrepancy can contribute significantly to the problems but it’s a bit more involved than just that.

True sciatica, impingement of the nerve root at the spine, can also be caused by twisted pelvis, but it’s origin is a herniated disc or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the foramen where nerve comes out of vertebrae). Biomechanical factors contribute to the problems in the spine and pelvis which then cause the nerve root impingement.

In both cases (PS and sciatica) it is necessary to begin rehabilitation of the foot,knee, ankle biomechanics first before doing glute and core strengthening work.

For people with leg length discrepancies it is useful to raise the entire shoe to reduce the difference. But only if it is a true discrepancy. An osteopath can help discern this. The research literature considers 8mm or more definitely needs a lift correction. In practice I find people are still sensitive to differences less than 8mm.

A heel lift is not a good idea, much better to raise the whole shoe by an inner sole or added material to the exterior sole. However problems occur in that this reduces the flexibility of the shoe so it’s important to find what works for each individual. Thus just a partial reduction of the length discrepancy with a lift can be helpful. A neutral lift is just a flat platform, an orthotic inner sole creates a lift but also has built up material to support the arch of the foot.

One of the problems that orthotics can cause is they limit the natural movement of the foot arch as a shock absorber. This in itself then alters the way the foot arch translates forces during the gait cycle through the ankle and lower leg. The small rotation that the knee joint does becomes compromised. This rotation serves to lock and unlock the knee joint when the knee goes to full extension and then initiating flexion to bend the knee. What then occurs is shear stresses in the knee joint and the tissues around knee end up strained and sore. Alternatively the knee adapts to these altered biomechanics and the strain ends up in the glute and piriformus region. Correct foot and ankle biomechanics are essential for normal gluteal activation during the gait cycle. When this doesn’t occur the piriformis fires up.

Many people will be prescribed orthotics to compensate for the weak arch and jammed up ankles. But this then causes it’s own problems as described above.

The solution to dependency on orthotic arch supports is to spend some time everyday in bare feet to challenge the feet but not so much it creates pain. Then engage in a foot rehab program as well as reduce the height of arch support and stiffness of the inner sole over time.

For good foot health it is very important to have shoes with roomy toe boxes and flexible soles.

Here’s is a great online foot an ankle rehab program:

The Foot Collective

Simple tools and training to you restore your foundation and explore the true potential right at your feet.

thefootcollective.com

 

[gottathink]

To clarify an apparent-leg length discrepancy (LLD) is caused by a twisted pelvis and this is the most common cause of LLD.

 

[3DStudent]

I looked in to sciatica earlier last year for a family member. Here are some notes I took, FWIW:

Remedies:

• chiropractor
• acupuncture
• homeopathic remedies
• Vitamin B12
• pillow between legs when sleeping
• Can be Piriforis Syndrome if worse when sitting

Stretches: 9 Sciatica Stretches to Ease Nerve Pain


3 Best Secrets for Immediate Relief for Sciatica - Bob and Brad

SCIATIC NERVE STRETCHES! -- Best Sciatica Stretch For Fast Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief

Louise Hay symbolism:

Sciatica: Being hypocritical. Fear of money and of the future. Affirmation: I move into my higher mood. My good is everywhere, and I am safe and secure.