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Sciatica by definition is pain experienced in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve (which is the thickest and longest nerve in the body – as thick as your thumb) runs down the entire back of your leg, dividing off at various points.

There are several reasons why the sciatic nerve can become irritated or inflamed. Most common causes of sciatica are disk degeneration, herniated or ruptured disk, narrowing of the spinal cord or tight buttock muscles.

Other reasons are:

- Penetrating injuries
- Entrapment by part of the pelvis called the “sciatic notch”
- Smoking
- Psychological stress
- Frequent lifting (in particular twisting & bending)
- Driving

Acute sciatica

Acute sciatica can last up to six weeks. This form of sciatica can be treated with a combination of manual therapy (e.g. osteopathy, chiropractic, physiotherapy) specialist supervised exercise, over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, and using hot and cold packs.

Chronic sciatica

Chronic sciatica lasts more than six weeks. This may require more specialist treatment (e.g. osteopathy, chiropractic, physiotherapy). In severe cases surgery may be required. However post-operative rehabilitation treatment is important and available from an osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Osteopathy helps by using gentle techniques to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. These techniques may include gently stretching out the spine so the disk(s) are no longer applying pressure, or by deep tissue massage to relax the tight buttock muscles. Like with most conditions, the sooner it is treated, the better the outcome will be.

There is extensive documentation on obesity and lower back pain. However the relationship between lower back pain and obesity remains controversial. A Finnish study on young adults looked at the association between the prevalence on lower back pain and weight-related factors.

Obesity causes an excessive mechanical load on the lumbar spine, often resulting in lower back pain.

Obesity may also cause low grade systemic inflammation – resulting in lower back pain. In addition, C-reactive protein has been associated with sciatica. However this association is less common with lower back pain.

The results of the study were an increased prevalence of lower back pain in those subjects with higher levels of:

- body mass index
- waist circumference
- hip circumference
- waist to hip ratio
- serum leptin
- C-reactive protein

Obesity can cause other problems too:
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Hypertension
- Diabetes (Mellitus Type 2)
- Osteoarthritis (e.g. knees)
- Infertility
- Cancer

Links:
- Lower Back Pain (Blog)
- Lower Back Pain (Resources)

Angina pectoris is the name given for pain experienced in the chest caused by temporary lack of oxygen to the wall of the heart.

Symptoms of Angina Pectoris

The main symptom of angina pectoris pain is pain in the center of the chest. Other symptoms of angina pectoris pain referred to:
- throat
- upper jaw
- back
- arms (commonly left more than right)
- difficulty breathing
- sweating
- nausea
- dizziness

Angina pectoris pain is also described as:
- dull
- heavy
- pressure-like pain

Angina pectoris pain is usually experienced during physical activity. It is your osteopath’s diagnostic and clinical skill that helps differentiate this pain from that caused by musculo-skeletal system.

Types of Angina Pectoris
- Chronic Stable Angina
- Nocturnal Angina
- Unstable Angina
- Variant Angina (Prinzmetal’s)
- Decubitus Angina
- Syndrome X (angina)

Risks of Angina Pectoris

Angina pectoris is a symptom, not a condition. Symptoms are caused by conditions. Therefore risks of angina pectoris pain are those of the condition causing the symptom. Conditions that cause angina pectoris pain are:
- myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- panic attacks
- smoking
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- lack of exercise
(more…)

Lower back pain and back ache is on the rise. One of the reasons for this is we are spending more time sitting than ever before. Think about it. Someone who has an office or desk based job sits at work, sits to and from work, then sits at home. Our bodies are designed to move. In fact our bodies depend on movement to maintain health. The spinal discs and cartilage in our bodies have no blood supply. This means that they have a poorer rate of recovery. Every time we move, these discs and cartilage get squeezed which aids the excretion of waste products. When released, fresh fluid floods back in to hydrate and nourish the tissues. If this process does not occur efficiently and regularly, the long term effects will results in lower back pain.

Prevention of Lower Back Pain
Regular appointments at The Osteocare Clinic help diagnose and treat low back pain before they worsen. Keeping active is vital in the prevention of lower back pain. However if you have a desk based job this can often prove quite difficult. Have a look at our blog post on Office Space on tips on how to improve your sitting posture. Reducing stress is also important in keeping healthy. (…more)

Links:
- Lower Back Pain
- Obesity & Lower Back Pain

Ergonomics
Have a look at your work space and see what you can change to make it more comfortable for you. Here is a checklist of the main things to consider:
- Chair
- Height (monitor, desk, chair)
- Commonly used objects should be placed closer to your, less commonly used items placed further away
- Knee angle (hips at 90 degrees or slightly higher than knees to encourage natural forward arch a.k.a. lumbar spine lordosis)

This can help prevent muscle aches and strains (see below).

Head posture
We’ve all seen colleages leaning forward whilst at staring at their computer screens (especially by the end of the day).

The head and neck weighs approximately 5-7 kg. Studies have shown every 2-3 cm the head is held forwards requires an extra 7-14 kg of muscle tension! This extra load means the muscles have less available strength to carry out other tasks.

DVT – Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT’s can occur not only on long journeys (e.g. long haul flights) but at your desk too. The muscles in the back of the calves act as a pump to return blood to the heart. To ensure they work effectively, ensure you stretch regularly. For more advice on stretching, contact our Osteopath Mr. Trishul Vadi on 020-8777-4343.

Active sitting
Your spinal discs and joint cartilage have no blood supply. They heavily depend on you to keep mobile to enable good fluid exchange. Fluid exchange occurs when the spinal discs and joint cartilage are squeezed and released. Just like with a sponge, when squeezed all the toxins and waste is drawn on, and when released fresh fluid and nutrients can enter. This helps repair injuries in these structures.

Sitting statically also makes your muscles get used to your posture. They will actually change in structure. Fortunately this is reversible by encouraging at better posture and correct muscle balance.

I highly recommend using an air cushion or Swiss/Gym ball when at work. Used for 20-30 minutes every hour can be very effective at maintaining a healthy mobile spine achieve fluid exchange. This will greatly alleviate most conditions that cause back pain. For more information on how our air cushions can help you, contact Osteopath Mr. Trishul Vadi on 020-8777-4343.

Patella tracking
The patella is the medical term for kneecap. It can shift out of place if there is a muscle imbalance in the thigh muscles, or if there is an direct impact trauma.

Symptoms can range from mild ache to severe pain in the front of the knee, especially when bending and straightening the knee joint.

Knee Ligament Damage
Ligaments have a poorer blood supply than muscles. This means they take longer to heal. There are four ligaments in the knee. Damage to ligaments are often caused by an impact trauma injury causing them to over stretch.

- Anterior cruciate ligament (twisting)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (twisting)
- Medical collateral ligament (blow from lateral aspect)
- Lateral collateral ligament (blow from medial aspect)

If you suffer from any impact, make sure you get professional advice immediately.

Cartilage (Meniscus) Damage
The meniscus is damaged by forceful knee movement whilst weight-bearing. The most common injury rotation at the knee while the foot is still on the ground.

The meniscus can also be damaged by smaller repetitive injuries. It has no blood supply, so so does not repair (like muscles and ligaments can). This is why wear and tear of the cartilage is more apparent the older we get (e.g. osteoarthritis).

Common symptoms are clicking and locking, or pain when weight-bearing. If you suffer from these symptoms, ensure to get professional advice.

Osteoarthritis (Arthritis)
Although we think of arthritis and osteoarthritis as affecting elderly people, younger people may also suffer from it as a result of injury.

As mentioned above, there is excessive erosion of the mensicus (cartilage). Symptoms are similar to meniscus damage.

Manipulative therapy such as Osteopathy has been found to reduce pain, discomfort and help patients cope with symptoms.

With the FIFA World Cup Football 2010 in full swing is exciting football fans the world over! Aches and pains are extremely common in any sport.

The top 5 most common football injuries too look out for are:

- Hamstring Strain
- Ankle sprain
- Knee Cartilage Tear / Knee Pain
- Hernia
- Ligament Strain / Ligament Tear

Our Osteopaths have treated several patients with the above problems. If you suffer from any of these, or you would like any more information about how Osteopathy can help you, please call The Osteocare Clinic – West Wickham on 020-8777-4343

Congratulations to everyone who ran in the Virgin London Marathon 2010!

Running is a great form of exercise and burns more calories than any other form. There are many forms of running.
- Long distance / Marathon
- Short distance / Sprinting
- Interval training

Common injuries with running can affect the following areas:

- Hips: Hip bursitis, Snapping Hip Syndrome, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Pulled Hamstring
- Knees: Patellofemoral Syndrome, Dislocating Kneecap, Plica Syndrome
- Lower Leg: Shin Splints, Stress Fractures, Compartment Syndrome
- Ankles: Ankle Sprain, Achilles Tendonitis
- Feet: Plantar Fasciitis, Overpronation, Arch Pain

How to avoid injury
- Wearing proper footwear
- Regular stretching
- Non-weightbearing training e.g. swimming, crosstraining

If you suffer from any pain or discomfort click here to make an appointment.

Happy St. George’s Day! We hope today finds you in great health and spirit.

Migraines and headaches are often confused as being similar. For anyone who has ever suffered from migraines, they will tell you that they are miles away from any headache. Below are some signs and symptoms to help tell them apart.

Migraines

- One-sided, i.e. affects only the right or the left side of the head, not both at the same time.
- Lasts few hours to a few days.
- Commonly, but not always, presents with an aura. This may be flashing lights, lack of concentration, vision problems, ringing in the ears, difficulty speaking, disorientation, and numbness or tingling.

Headaches

- Affects both sides of the head.
- Lasts from 30 minutes to 7 days (approximately).
- Pain may spread or originate from upper neck or shoulder area.

If you suffer from migraines, headaches or any other symptoms, please call 020-8777-4343.

This subdivision of Osteopathy is also known as Cranio-sacral Osteopathy and/or Cranio-sacral Therapy. Your Osteopath uses their highly trained sense of palpation (touch) to examine the movement of the bones in your head and sacrum (near the tail bone). The bones in the skull are not, as has been previously thought, fused and immovable. The lines you see on a skull are in fact joints!

Mr. Trishul Vadi (B.Ost., O.A., M.I.C.O.) has post graduate qualifications in Cranial Osteopathy. In his experience it is particularly useful for conditions such as:

- Head & Spinal injuries
- Mouth & Jaw pain
- Migraines & Headaches
- Whiplash
- Back & Shoulder problems
- Joint & Circulatory disorders
- Birth trauma

If you suffer from any of these conditions, or would like more information about Cranial Osteopathy and whether you would benefit from treatment please call 020-8777-4343.

We would like to wish you a very Happy Easter 2010. We do hope you have a well rested, symptom-free holiday.

We are supporting a very dear friend of The Osteocare Clinic, Alyssa Kyria, help raise money for M.e.r.l.i.n. a charity sending doctors and medical supplies to Haiti. On 1st April ’10 Alyssa is presenting a line up of the best character, sketch and muscical comedy in the U.K. After all, they say laughter is the best medicine!

For more information, click here.

Thank you.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We hope today finds you in great health and spirit.

I am pleased to announce our FREE STRETCH CLASSES will start this coming Monday, 1st March 2010.

Each class will consist of no more than two people. This will enable me to spend more time and attention to ensure you gain the maximum benefit from the stretch class.

To book your place please call 020 8777 4343. Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!