What is shoulder impingement?
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Sciatica, by definition, is a neurological condition causing sharp or achey pain from compression on the sciatic nerves around the spine or under the piriformis muscle of the hip. But we often commonly use the term 'sciatica' to describe pain in the low back that radiates down into the hip, thigh and even lower leg. It can be associated with numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg. It is often more painful when lying down on the affected side, getting up in the morning, after sitting for long periods or after exercise.
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How we treat it
We have the luxury of long appointments at Pain Free Fitness: a full hour with your therapist or trainer. With more hands-on time, we can get much faster results in terms of pain reduction and prevention of recurrence.
We don't just focus on releasing the local area around the piriformis and back of the hip to treat your sciatica. We go much more in depth to our assessment and treatment by addressing your specific regional neuromuscular patterns, biomechanical function and strength balance. From there, we treat by:
We don't just focus on releasing the local area around the piriformis and back of the hip to treat your sciatica. We go much more in depth to our assessment and treatment by addressing your specific regional neuromuscular patterns, biomechanical function and strength balance. From there, we treat by:
- addressing compression on the sciatic nerve itself due to tight muscles of the hip
- addressing the balance of the pelvis and any anterior rotation to reduce mechanical pressure on the sciatic nerve
- assessing the function of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and ensuring proper function of the muscles around the lumbopelvic region
- releasing trigger points and muscular tension in the low back to stop referral pain to the hip area
- assessing if there is a peripheral nerve entrapment below the hip and releasing the nerve using massage techniques and nerve stretches (flossing).
Assessing the scapulohumeral rhythm of the shoulder girdle.
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getting you back into pain-free activity
Many of our clients express concern about getting back into the gym, sport or activity after stopping because of pain. They have been on the 'merry-go-round' where pain stops when they stop, but returns when they start again. This is where we can bridge the gap between traditional therapy and return to exercise.
The final part of our treatment will often include a full movement assessment, taking into account your usual activities or sport. This enables us to establish your 'weakest links' (and likely cause of the issue) while actually performing your activity - not just while on the massage table. For example:
By going through this process, we can fully address the cause of your original pain, and prescribe you a specific program where the exercises constitute the final piece of the therapy puzzle. We use this as an education opportunity, and just about every client we work with has several lightbulb moments during these sessions as to why they move the way they do.
Our goal is for you to be able to self-manage your pain (rather than requiring ongoing therapy) and to re-program the way you move so you don't ever have to put up with this problem again. You will be stronger and have an improved overall foundation to build more strength and better performance.
If this process sounds like something you need, please click the button below to book a massage, or send us a message here to book in for training services.
The final part of our treatment will often include a full movement assessment, taking into account your usual activities or sport. This enables us to establish your 'weakest links' (and likely cause of the issue) while actually performing your activity - not just while on the massage table. For example:
- Do your shoulder mechanics enable full rotation of the scapula while under load, or do you overuse your lats, traps and biceps to do any row or overhead movement? Is this natural patterning having an impact on your shoulder pain?
- Does your core strength support the movements of your upper body, or is your shoulder positioning causing a problem because of the relationship to the pelvis or rib cage?
- Advice on how to modify training loads (not stopping completely) is extremely important to maintain strength and support healing, recovery and confidence building.
By going through this process, we can fully address the cause of your original pain, and prescribe you a specific program where the exercises constitute the final piece of the therapy puzzle. We use this as an education opportunity, and just about every client we work with has several lightbulb moments during these sessions as to why they move the way they do.
Our goal is for you to be able to self-manage your pain (rather than requiring ongoing therapy) and to re-program the way you move so you don't ever have to put up with this problem again. You will be stronger and have an improved overall foundation to build more strength and better performance.
If this process sounds like something you need, please click the button below to book a massage, or send us a message here to book in for training services.