If the sciatic pain is related to a hip that is rotated forward, the sciatic pain may actually be connected with an overtight illiacus muscle (located within the inside curve of the hip bone). When the hip rotates forward it will actually overstretch the piraformis and this can cause the sciatic pain. In this case the release of the illiacus is key in getting the hip to move out of its forward position and allow the piraformis to relax instead of compensate for the forward rotation.
But if the sciatic pain is related to a hip that is rotated toward the back, then it is most likely related to the piriformis but other muscles as well. The psoas, a very deep hip flexor muscle that begins on the front part of the low back vertebrae and goes down through the pelvis to attach with the illiacus on the femor, is often involved as well. Though we learned to release this muscle in my massage training, it was taught to treat herniated or bulging discs lumbar vertebrae or just general low back pain. The relation to the piraformis and sciatica was news to me!
When a hip rotates backwards, sometimes it will flair out to the side. The foot follows and turns out when standing, and all the muscles on the back of the hip become constricted to help maintain balance. When sciatic pain exists with this type of pattern, we need to pay particular attention to the musculature of the posterior hip and make sure all contributing muscles are addressed to provide optimal rehabilitation without the immediate tendency for the body to go back into old patterns.
At Surgical Alternative, we believe in lasting change. Each session is designed to release most, if not all, contributing restrictions in soft tissue that are holding the client’s body in an uncomfortable posture. The body has a strong memory so each session is like taking off a new layer of the old patterns and reinforcing new structural habits revealing more possibilities in the enjoyment of a life without pain.
We have been dealing with clients in severe pain from herniated discs, bulging discs, hiatal hernias, degenerative disk disease, peripheral nerve damage, nerve entrapments, sciatic pain issues and many more symptoms that people think they either have to have surgery for or just deal with the pain. The reason we started blogging was so that we could reach and help those people that suffer from these and many other painful conditions. At Surgical Alternative we can help! For availability and scheduling please visit http://surgicalalternative.com/schedule-appointment/
About the Author: This post contributed by a member of the Surgical Alternative team, Nyssa Hanger, to find out more about click here.