What is sciatica?
Definition - dictionary.com
sci·at·i·ca
sīˈadəkə/noun
1. pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disk.
The one thing that the definition of sciatica above is missing are the the ways in which chronic neuromuscular tension can begin to impinge upon the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve impingement can create sensations of pain that can run from the lower spine down the back of the leg. A nerve impingement can come from habitually tight muscles that are directly pressing on the nerve or ones own tight muscles can be pulling a tendon, or bone in such a way that they will be impinging on the sciatic nerve due to the chronically tight muscles. This is similar to the act of stepping on a garden hose and it interrupting the regular flow of water.
In the definition they give the example of the degeneration of intervertebral discs. A Somatic example of what may lead to this is how when one side of the body is chronically tighter (tilted or bent). This means that there can be a consistent contraction over time may actually pull one side of the vertebrae together like the collapsed side of an accordion. This chronic squeezing can unknowingly and steadily put unneeded mechanical pressure on the integrity and functionality of the spine. This neuromuscular imbalance can eventually encourage the vertebral discs to move out of alignment or even cause structural damage to said discs.
The larger and more global issue is when tight muscles hold your whole body (soma) in the same shape or posture for extended periods of time. These body shapes or postures can come from stress, pain, trauma, and sameness (being in the same position for an extended period of time) There is a way to alleviate and control these chronically contracted muscles everyday for the rest of your life.
Many clients have had great success alleviating and managing sciatic pain though Get Out Of Shape® sessions. They not only get hands on training with Ryan Moschell they also learn and use these Somatic tools so that they can help themselves feel better and improve daily. To find out how you can schedule a hands-on in-person clinical sessions, travel to my office, online webcam movement classes worldwide, or hire me to come to you to teach a workshop.