Pain from sciatica and fibromyalgia often coexist in the same person, but may require different treatments and pain management options.
Fibromyalgia itself is known to cause pain in various regions of the body. Many of us who live with fibromyalgia can also have secondary diagnoses when symptoms overlap with other conditions. As complex as fibromyalgia is, we do not want to overlook other conditions that may need separate attention.
Sciatica is one of the most common conditions to coexist with fibromyalgia. In this case, one condition does not necessarily cause the other … they can simply exist together, but in any case, all patients with fibromyalgia should know what pain of sciatica is treated.
Pain around the bones
Some people with sciatic pain often report that they have pain in their hips, buttocks, and legs. It may take a bit of research from your therapist to attend to find out exactly what is being treated.
You may also have piriformis syndrome. This can occur when the piriformis muscles in the buttocks irritate the sciatic nerve. All the suggestions here and in the other pain articles will apply to both syndromes.
Try to be as consistent as possible with very smooth stretches and maintain. Never stretch too far or too fast. I often say that “conventional stretching is not always appropriate with fibromyalgia” Some of them are shown in the hip flexor article.
The understanding of sciatica pain
Sciatica is a medical condition that produces pain along the sciatic nerve. For most people, pain starts on one side of the buttocks and goes down the back of the leg.
These symptoms can go all the way to the toes in some people, while they are limited to the higher parts of the leg in others. The condition is often caused by a herniated disc or other physical condition that causes pain in the nerves.
When they experience fibromyalgia sufferers, professionals can not find any physical reason for the pain. The symptoms are the same, but they do not seem the most common causes of being responsible for the pain.
How to treat sciatica pain
Try to take the less invasive approach here. Natural pain control if necessary food, consumption containing natural anti-inflammatory components and alleviate aggravating factors such as various activities of daily living.
It is a good idea to avoid any activity of daily living, such as bending or cleaning on the floor if symptoms are present. When there is a herniated disc or other physical explanation for pain, surgery may be recommended.
For fibromyalgia sufferers who have no clear reason for pain, this option is not likely to apply. As with many other forms of fibromyalgia pain, you may be left with pain control, massage, biofeedback, and other natural treatments that fight inflammation and pain throughout the body.
Sciatica and trigger points
Sciatica can also be activated from long-term trigger points around the buttocks or lower back. Trauma or damage in the surrounding areas can cause trigger points in this area to activate. Areas of trigger points are not uncommon due to everyday activities such as sitting, bowing, or weakness.
As I often say, those of us with fibromyalgia can be sensitive to injections administered in the body. This area around the buttocks can be very sensitive and can in turn trigger pain around the gluteal muscles and lower back. If you have sciatica, you may have to avoid injections around this area.
Additional natural treatment options
It is possible that the best treatments for fibromyalgia the pain of sciatica involves your lifestyle. If you find that the pain is more likely to occur when you sit for long periods of time, invest in a standing desk or a treadmill desk.
It can also help to follow a weekly exercise routine that includes workouts with low average cardio impact, healing energy and specific strength training for fibro people. Visit my Fibro to fit people on the Facebook page for more help. As I often say, (and yes, I understand) “we can spend the rest of our lives de-conditioning our bodies, or we can spend the rest of our lives conditioning our bodies”, because this is not a race. Consistency is the key here. This will help us to better tolerate the ups and downs of fibromyalgia symptoms and fibro flares.
If your back, buttocks, or legs have been damaged more than usual, at least consult a doctor or a specialist familiar with sciatica and fibromyalgia. It is possible that your problem is caused by a herniated disc or other problem that possibly has nothing to do with your fibromyalgia. A specialist could help determine a different cause while creating a treatment plan that relieves some pain, stiffness and general malaise.
