You may have pain that is felt down the back of your leg, a common complaint that patients report to physical therapists worldwide. This sensation is unpleasant and uncomfortable for patients and can stem from various origins.
Sciatica is often perceived as a condition, but it is, in fact, a symptom rather than a standalone diagnosis. Leg pain or sciatica always has an underlying cause. This is commonly mistaken for referred pain from the lower back, known as ‘somatic referral’. Potential culprits for leg pain encompass joints, muscles, ligaments, and lower back discs.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that runs down the back of the leg due to a nerve becoming irritated. The nerve can be irritated by inflammation or ‘pinched’ by a surrounding structure (e.g., disc, joint or muscle). Although leg pain is common, true sciatica is quite rare.
What is Somatic Referral?
Somatic referred pain is ‘pain perceived at a location other than the site of the cause.’ This pain occurs due to a network of interconnecting nerves that supply many tissues. Our brain is not great at pinpointing the exact location of where this pain is coming from. Therefore, you may perceive pain signals from parts of the body that are not in the location of the injury.
How do we tell the difference?
Does it even matter?
Firstly, it matters! Discerning the root cause of your pain is crucial for an effective recovery. Identifying the cause allows your physical therapist to tailor manual therapy techniques and exercises to your needs and conditions.
To distinguish between somatic referred leg pain and sciatic leg pain, consider the following helpful indicators:
| SOMATIC REFERRED LEG PAIN | SCIATIC LEG PAIN |
|---|---|
| Leg pain is less than back pain | Leg pain is worse than back pain |
| Leg pain is often only felt above the knee | Leg pain can be felt below the knee |
| Leg pain is usually dull and achy | Leg pain is sharp, shooting, and severe |
If you are experiencing leg pain, it is essential to have this looked at by a health professional. Our practitioners are here to help; click here to make a booking.
Dr. Daniel Raab
Osteopath
