Is It Sciatica? Maybe not!
- Dr. Doug - Chiropractor
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Dr. Doug - Chiropractor in Brampton - Voted Best Chiropractor 2024
Is it Sciatica? Maybe Not!
Frequently people come into my Chiropractic office suffering with back pain that travels down their leg. Sometimes they have been told, or assumed, that they are experiencing Sciatic pain. But is it Sciatica? Maybe not!
What Is Sciatica?
The main symptom of Sciatica is low back pain that specifically impacts the sciatic nerve in the buttock. Sciatic nerve pain then radiates down the back of the thigh, sometimes as far as the foot. Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disc, inflammation of the joints of the lowest part of the low back, or severely tight muscles around the sacrum (tail bone).
GTRPS or "Side-atica"
On the other hand, Greater Trochanteric Regional Pain Syndrome (GTRPS), commonly known as “Side-atica” mimics Sciatica symptoms...to a point. The difference is that instead of travelling down the back of the thigh, the pain travels down the side of the thigh, and then to the side of the calf and ankle. This is significant because instead of starting in the spine, the pain starts in the gluteal muscles and refers both down the leg and up to the low back. The pain is not caused by pressure on a nerve but is “referred pain.” The good news for patients suffering with “Side-atica” is that since there is no nerve involvement and no damaged tissue like a herniated disc, "Side-atica" tends to heal faster.
Getting the correct diagnosis for either of these conditions is as simple as an in-office physical exam. X-rays are not recommended if Sciata or "Side-atic" are suspected since X-rays are not able to show any of the tissues involved in pain from either condition. A thorough exam will identify the source of your pain and get you into the right treatment.
Is it Sciatica? Maybe not! Want to know if the back pain that goes down your leg is sciatica or not? Make a chiropractic appointment with Dr. Doug and he will get you a correct diagnosis!
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