Complex Injuries

Sciatic Endometriosis

Share

Can combining chiropractic treatment with the common therapies of medication, exercise, and/or physical therapy help relieve sciatic endometriosis pain symptoms?

Sciatic Endometriosis

Sciatic endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial cells (tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus) grow outside of the uterine lining and compress the sciatic nerve. This places stress and pressure on the nerve causing back, pelvic, hip, and leg pain, especially before and during the menstrual cycle. It can also cause pain, irregular periods, and infertility. (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021)

  • These areas of endometrial tissue growth are also known as lesions or implants.
  • Women with sciatic endometriosis often experience leg pain and weakness around the time of their menstrual cycle. (Lena Marie Seegers, et al., 2023)
  • Sciatic endometriosis can also cause pain when urinating, during a bowel movement, during sex, and fatigue, and irregular vaginal bleeding.

The Sciatic Nerve

  • Typically, endometrial lesions grow and attach to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, intestines, rectum, or peritoneum/abdominal cavity lining. (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021)
  • The abnormal growth may be caused by higher-than-normal levels of estrogen.
  • Researchers believe that endometriosis is related to retrograde menstruation, which causes menstrual blood to flow back into the pelvis instead of out through the vagina. (World Health Organization. 2023)
  • Sometimes, the cells grow in the area of the pelvis right above the sciatic nerve. (Adaiah Yahaya, et al., 2021)
  • The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and travels down the back of each leg. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2023)
  • When endometrial lesions place pressure on the sciatic nerve, they can cause irritation and inflammation leading to severe pelvic pain, which makes it harder to conceive. (Liang Yanchun, et al., 2019)

Symptoms

Some women with endometriosis experience no symptoms or misinterpret the symptoms as typical premenstrual syndrome/PMS signs. The most common signs and symptoms of sciatic endometriosis include:

  • Difficulty walking or standing.
  • Loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and reflex alteration.
  • Limping.
  • Balance problems.
  • Bloating and nausea.
  • Constipation or diarrhea before or after a period.
  • Painful, heavy, and/or irregular periods.
  • Bleeding between periods.
  • Pain during sex, urination, and bowel movements.
  • Pain in the stomach, pelvis, lower back, hips, and buttocks. (MedlinePlus. 2022)
  • Weakness, numbness, tingling, burning, or dull aching sensations in the back of one or both legs.
  • Foot drop or trouble lifting the front of the foot. (Center for Endometriosis Care. 2023)
  • Infertility.
  • Fatigue.
  • Depression and anxiety.

Diagnosis

Endometriosis, including sciatic endometriosis, typically cannot be diagnosed with a pelvic examination or ultrasound by themselves. A healthcare provider may need to perform a biopsy using laparoscopy and discuss menstrual cycles, symptoms, and medical history.

  • The laparoscopy procedure involves making tiny incisions and taking a tissue sample with tools attached to a thin tube with a camera. (MedlinePlus. 2022)
  • Imaging tests, like magnetic resonance imaging/MRI, and computed tomography/CT scans, can help provide essential information about the location and size of any endometrial lesions. (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2021)

Treatment

Symptoms can sometimes be temporarily relieved with over-the-counter/OTC pain relievers. Depending on the condition and severity a healthcare provider may prescribe hormonal treatment to prevent new endometrial implants from growing. These can include:


Sciatica In Depth


References

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Endometriosis.

Seegers, L. M., DeFaria Yeh, D., Yonetsu, T., Sugiyama, T., Minami, Y., Soeda, T., Araki, M., Nakajima, A., Yuki, H., Kinoshita, D., Suzuki, K., Niida, T., Lee, H., McNulty, I., Nakamura, S., Kakuta, T., Fuster, V., & Jang, I. K. (2023). Sex Differences in Coronary Atherosclerotic Phenotype and Healing Pattern on Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging. Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging, 16(8), e015227. doi.org/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.123.015227

World Health Organization. Endometriosis.

Yahaya, A., Chauhan, G., Idowu, A., Sumathi, V., Botchu, R., & Evans, S. (2021). Carcinoma arising within sciatic nerve endometriosis: a case report. Journal of surgical case reports, 2021(12), rjab512. doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjab512

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Sciatica.

Yanchun, L., Yunhe, Z., Meng, X., Shuqin, C., Qingtang, Z., & Shuzhong, Y. (2019). Removal of an endometrioma passing through the left greater sciatic foramen using a concomitant laparoscopic and transgluteal approach: case report. BMC women’s health, 19(1), 95. doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0796-0

MedlinePlus. Endometriosis.

Center for Endometriosis Care. Sciatic endometriosis.

Chen, S., Xie, W., Strong, J. A., Jiang, J., & Zhang, J. M. (2016). Sciatic endometriosis induces mechanical hypersensitivity, segmental nerve damage, and robust local inflammation in rats. European journal of pain (London, England), 20(7), 1044–1057. doi.org/10.1002/ejp.827

Siquara de Sousa, A. C., Capek, S., Howe, B. M., Jentoft, M. E., Amrami, K. K., & Spinner, R. J. (2015). Magnetic resonance imaging evidence for perineural spread of endometriosis to the lumbosacral plexus: report of 2 cases. Neurosurgical focus, 39(3), E15. doi.org/10.3171/2015.6.FOCUS15208

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Sciatic Endometriosis" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Published by

Recent Posts

Dealing with Overpronation: Effective Strategies

What are the treatment options for individuals dealing with foot overpronation when the foot and… Read More

November 4, 2024

Effective Treatment for Nerve Injuries: Causes and Solutions

Can individuals with nerve injuries incorporate non-surgical treatments to reduce pain sensations and restore motor… Read More

November 4, 2024

The Importance of Maintaining Lumbosacral Joint Health (L5-S1)

For individuals trying to retrain their body movements for back health improvement, what is the… Read More

November 1, 2024

Discover the Effective Ways of Reducing Body Pain with Pilates

Can individuals with body pain incorporate Pilates to reduce general aches and pains while strengthening… Read More

November 1, 2024

Understanding Sleep Changes in Older Adults

Sleep is vital at all ages, but what is the amount of sleep for older… Read More

October 31, 2024

Enhance Joint Function with the Beneficial Properties of Turmeric

Can individuals dealing with joint pain incorporate turmeric as part of their treatment to reduce… Read More

October 31, 2024