Votre douleur provient-elle du nerf sciatique?

Lower back or leg pain is not always caused by the sciatic nerve. Sometimes the pain is transposed or confused with other structures, such as intervertebral discs or nerve roots. How can you tell the difference? Let’s explore the potential causes and what you can do to relieve this pain.

Causes of pain in young people

In younger people, a number of conditions can cause pain in the lower back or legs, but they don’t always originate from the sciatic nerve:

1. Herniated discs: Intervertebral discs act like cushions between vertebrae. When a disc shifts or ruptures, it can exert pressure on the nerve roots, causing radiating pain in the lower back or legs. However, it’s not always the sciatic nerve that’s affected.
2. Degenerative intervertebral discs: Although more common with age, disc degeneration can occur in younger people due to injury or poor postural habits. This condition can cause back pain without necessarily involving the sciatic nerve.
3. Nerve roots: Compression of nerve roots in the lower back can cause sciatica-like symptoms. This compression can result from repetitive movements, such as heavy lifting, or from an accident, leading to inflammation or irritation of the nerve roots. Depending on which nerve root is affected, pain may radiate down the legs, but not necessarily along the path of the sciatic nerve.

Causes of sciatic pain in older people

In older people, the causes of sciatic pain can vary:

1. Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve.
2. Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on vertebral joints can cause bony growths (osteophytes) that compress the nerve.
3. Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis muscle, located in the gluteal region, can sometimes irritate or compress the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica-like pain.

What to do about sciatic pain?

If you’re experiencing pain along the sciatic nerve, it’s essential to consult a qualified professional. Here’s how our experts can help:

• Chiropractor: Spinal adjustments to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Physiotherapist: Specific exercise programs to strengthen muscles and improve posture.
• Osteopath: Manual techniques to improve mobility and reduce muscle tension.
• Massage therapist: Therapeutic massages to relieve muscle tension and promote blood circulation.
• Kinesiologist: Adapted exercise programs to strengthen the back and prevent recurrences.

Don’t ignore persistent pain. Make an appointment with one of our specialists for a personalized and effective treatment plan.

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Visit the clinic nearest you:

• Chiropractic – Chelsea Gatineau (secteur Hull)
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• Physiotherapy – Chelsea Gatineau (secteur Hull)
• Physiotherapy – Vaudreuil-Dorion
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• Osteopathy – Québec
• Osteopathy – Valleyfield
• Osteopathy – Vaudreuil-Dorion
• Osteopathy – Trois-Rivières
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• Massage therapy – Vaudreuil-Dorion
• Massage therapy – Valleyfield
• Massage therapy – Trois-Rivières
• Massage therapy – Mirabel 
• Massage therapy – Gatineau
• Massage therapy – Québec
• Massage therapy – Boucherville

• Kinesiology – Québec
• Kinesiology – Vaudreuil-Dorion