Jul 284 min read

How Elite Recovery Murrieta Sports Massage Helps Athletes Heal from Sciatica Pain

Updated: Nov 6

Sciatica is a condition characterized by pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back. It's a common issue among athletes due to the repetitive and strenuous movements their sports often demand. At Elite Recovery Sports Therapy, we specialize in neuromuscular sports massage, which is particularly effective in treating sciatica. Let’s delve into how our targeted therapies can help athletes heal by understanding the muscles, fascial lines, and lymphatic systems involved.

Understanding Sciatica with Elite Recovery Murrieta's Sports Massage

Sciatica pain is typically felt in the lower back, buttocks, and down the leg.

Pain Felt: Sharp, dull, electric, burning, tingling, numb, hot, or cold sensations.

Sciatica pain is typically felt in the lower back, buttocks, and down the leg.

Muscles Involved

Several key muscles contribute to sciatica pain and are often impacted by this condition. Below are the muscles, their trigger points, referral patterns, and associated muscle actions:

Piriformis:
Trigger Points: Buttocks.
Referral Patterns: Down the back of the leg.
Range of Motion Action: External rotation of the hip.
Synergist Muscles: Gluteus maximus.
Agonist Muscles: Adductor magnus.

Gluteus Maximus:
Trigger Points: Buttocks.
Referral Patterns: Lower back and buttocks.
Range of Motion Action: Hip extension.
Synergist Muscles: Hamstrings.
Agonist Muscles: Iliopsoas.

Hamstrings (Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus):
Trigger Points: Back of the thigh.
Referral Patterns: Down the back of the leg.
Range of Motion Action: Knee flexion, hip extension.
Synergist Muscles: Gluteus maximus.
Agonist Muscles: Quadriceps.

Quadratus Lumborum:
Trigger Points: Lower back.
Referral Patterns: Lower back, buttocks, and hip.
Range of Motion Action: Lateral flexion of the spine.
Synergist Muscles: Erector spinae.
Agonist Muscles: Abdominal muscles.

Iliopsoas:
Trigger Points: Lower abdomen and groin.
Referral Patterns: Lower back, hip, and thigh.
Range of Motion Action: Hip flexion.
Synergist Muscles: Rectus femoris.
Agonist Muscles: Gluteus maximus.

Fascial Lines

Fascial lines are networks of connective tissue that run throughout the body, influencing muscle function and movement. Key fascial lines involved in sciatica and their impact on pain include:

Superficial Back Line: Influences the lower back, buttocks, and leg.
Deep Front Line: Affects the hip flexors and lower back.
Lateral Line: Stabilizes the body during lateral movements and affects the outer hip and thigh

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in managing pain and range of motion. Key lymph nodes involved include:

Inguinal Lymph Nodes: Located in the groin, these drain the lower abdomen and leg areas, essential for reducing inflammation and promoting healing.

Range of Motion Issues

Sciatica primarily affects the lower back and legs, leading to limitations in several ranges of motion due to pain, muscle weakness, and nerve irritation. The key ranges of motion that are typically limited with sciatica include:

Hip Flexion:

Pain and stiffness when lifting the leg forward or bending at the waist.
Common activities affected: Walking, running, and sitting.

Hip Extension:

Difficulty and pain when moving the leg backward.
Common activities affected: Walking, standing up from a seated position.

Hip Abduction:

Limited ability to move the leg away from the body.
Common activities affected: Walking, standing, side-stepping movements.

Hip Adduction:

Pain when bringing the leg back towards the body.
Common activities affected: Crossing legs, standing.

Lumbar Flexion:

Difficulty bending forward at the waist.
Common activities affected: Tying shoes, picking up objects from the floor.

Lumbar Extension:

Pain when arching the back.
Common activities affected: Standing up straight, leaning back.

Lumbar Rotation:

Limited ability to twist the spine.
Common activities affected: Turning around, reaching across the body.

Knee Extension:

Pain and stiffness when straightening the leg.
Common activities affected: Walking, standing up from a seated position.

Ankle Dorsiflexion:

Difficulty raising the foot upwards towards the shin.
Common activities affected: Walking, climbing stairs.

Sciatica can vary greatly in severity, and the extent of motion limitations can differ from person to person. Treatment often focuses on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and improving flexibility and strength in the affected areas.

How Elite Recovery Sports Therapy Can Help

At Elite Recovery, we use a combination of techniques to address frozen shoulder pain:

Neuromuscular Therapy: Targets specific muscles to relieve pain and improve function.
Myofascial Release: Releases tight fascia to reduce pain and improve movement.
Lymphatic Drainage: Reduces inflammation and promotes healing.
Cupping: Enhances blood flow and reduces muscle tension.
Fascial Stretch Therapy: Increases flexibility and range of motion.

What to Expect During Treatment

During your session at Elite Recovery, you can expect a thorough assessment of your shoulder's condition. Tiffany will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include:

Targeted Massage: Focusing on the specific muscles and fascia involved in your frozen shoulder.
Stretching Exercises: Designed to improve flexibility and range of motion.
Lymphatic Drainage Techniques: To reduce swelling and promote healing.
Cupping Therapy: To increase blood flow and alleviate muscle tension.

By addressing the underlying causes of frozen shoulder, we can help athletes regain their shoulder function and return to their sports more quickly and effectively.

Self Release Videos :

Conclusion

At Elite Recovery Sports Therapy, we are dedicated to helping athletes overcome sciatica pain. Our specialized therapies address the root causes of pain, improve range of motion, and promote healing, allowing athletes to return to their peak performance.

Click below for more areas of pain Elite Recovery Murrieta / Temecula Sports Massage can help you with :

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Remember, early intervention and specialized care can make a significant difference in your recovery. Let Elite Recovery help you get back to the top of your game!