The Different Types of Sciatica And Why Adhesion Matters

More Than You Think

If you have had sciatic pain for more than six months, seen multiple providers, and still do not have relief, adhesion is very likely part of your case.

Most people use the word sciatica to describe any pain that shoots down the leg. The truth is there are different kinds of sciatica. The pain can come from:

• A disc bulge or herniation pressing on a nerve root

• Spinal stenosis narrowing the canal where nerves travel

• Piriformis syndrome, also called deep gluteal syndrome, where the sciatic nerve gets glued to hip rotator muscles

Each of these is different. What they all share is that adhesion makes them worse. Adhesion is scar-like glue between muscles, tendons, and nerves. When nerves get stuck in it, they lose blood flow and start firing off pain signals.

 

Sciatica from a Disc Bulge or Herniation

A disc bulge means the cushion between two vertebrae is pushing out. Sometimes it touches a nerve root. Many people are told that means they need surgery.

But here is the problem. MRIs show plenty of disc bulges in people who have zero pain. That means the disc alone is not the full story.

When adhesion builds up in the deep spinal muscles, hip flexors, and hamstrings, the disc has to carry more load. That extra pressure irritates the nerve. By breaking down adhesion in those areas, we can unload the disc and often calm down the nerve without surgery.

 

Sciatica from Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal that nerves pass through. It is a structural change that you can see on imaging. Even so, many patients notice big improvements after adhesion release even though their MRI still looks the same.

The reason is that adhesion in the facet joint capsules, hip flexors, and even the thoracic spine forces the low back to work harder. Freeing those adhesions restores motion and unloads the narrowed canal. For some people, that means they can go from painful walking after five minutes to being able to walk comfortably for an hour.

 

Sciatica from Piriformis Syndrome

This is one of the most common and most misunderstood forms of sciatica. The sciatic nerve runs right under or sometimes through the piriformis muscle and other hip rotators. When adhesion develops there, the nerve gets glued down.

Instead of sliding smoothly, it sticks to the muscle and gets irritated. The result is burning, tingling, or sharp pain down the leg when sitting or standing up. Many patients have been told they have piriformis syndrome, but the deeper issue is nerve entrapment caused by adhesion.

By releasing the glue between the sciatic nerve and the surrounding muscles, blood flow returns to the nerve and symptoms settle.

 

Why Adhesion Release Works When Other Care Does Not

Adhesion does not show up on MRI or X ray, which is why most providers miss it. Physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, injections, or massage may give temporary relief, but they do not remove the adhesion itself.

At Resolve Soft Tissue and Spine we use Adhesion Release Methods. This is a hands on process to find and break down adhesion. You can read more about how we approach care on our Services page. Most patients describe it as uncomfortable in the moment but highly effective. Relief is not temporary. It lasts because the glue that was driving the pain is actually removed.

 

Setting Expectations With The 5 Visit Rule

Not every case of sciatica can be fixed. If the nerve is permanently damaged or the spine is too degenerated, results will be limited. That is why we use the 5 Visit Rule.

You should see measurable and lasting improvement within your first 5 visits. If you do not, we know adhesion is not the main problem and we will not continue care unnecessarily.

This protects you from wasting time, money, or hope.

 

A Better Option Than Surgery

A disc bulge or stenosis does not always mean surgery. By targeting and breaking down adhesion we can unload discs, open space for nerves, and release entrapments in the hips and pelvis.

Patients who thought they would live in pain forever often find lasting relief once adhesion is removed.

If you are tired of living with sciatica and have not found help from other providers, schedule a consultation with Zac through our booking page. You can also see answers to common questions in our FAQ section.