7 minute read
A Pain in the Bu� ?
Sciati ca
A Pain in the Butt ?!
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If you’ve ever had pain in your lower back, butt ock or leg, then you might have assumed that you have sciati ca. What exactly is sciati ca? The defi niti on of sciati ca is pain anywhere along the course of the sciati c nerve (basically nearly everywhere from your hip to your toes!).
Pain in this area can be sharp or dull, or in some cases can feel more like pins and needles or numbness. Although the diagnosis of sciati ca is very common, receiving an offi cial name for your conditi on doesn’t necessarily make the pain any bett er!
The truth is that pain in this area can be caused by many diff erent things. Figuring out the exact cause of sciati ca can be challenging but this is essenti al to begin healing.
Potenti al Causes of “Sciati ca”:
Disc Lesions: You’ve all heard of You’ve all heard of a “slipped disc”. The truth is the disc doesn’t really slip anywhere – what usually happens is part of the disc tears and the inside of the disc bulges out. If the bulge is large enough it can push on a spinal nerve, causing sharp and shooti ng pain and pins and needles down the leg. Luckily this is a less common conditi on but extremely painful when it does happen.
Piriformis Syndrome: The sciati c nerve runs past the piriformis muscle (located around your hip/butt ock). The sciati c nerve can become irritated when the piriformis is very ti ght and sti ff (very common with prolonged si� ng!) resulti ng in pain around the hip or into the thigh. Shooti ng pain can also occur if you are one of the 15% of people that have the sciati c nerve travelling through the piriformis!
Trigger Points: When they are very ti ght, some of the muscles around the hip and pelvis actually refer pain down the leg in a very similar patt ern to a disc lesion. This phenomenon is called a trigger point. We have lost count of how many pati ents we see who are convinced they have a disc problem, for us only to pinpoint a muscle in their hip and re-create their pain. Fortunately trigger points are much easier to deal with than disc problems!
SI Syndrome: The SI joints are the larger joints that connect your spine to your pelvis. Some studies say between 15% and 30% of low back pain suff erers have dysfuncti on of these joints. SI syndrome is usually caused by inacti vity and poor posture but can also be aggravated by injury or pregnancy. Pain can be anywhere from the lower back to the back of the leg, so diagnosis requires a complete physical examinati on.
There are so many potenti al causes of sciati ca, it seems unfair to group all of them under one name. Whether you have been diagnosed with sciati ca or not, treatment and recovery will vary depending on the true cause, how long the problem has been going on, and the age, lifestyle, and health of the person with the issue. The thought of addressing these factors on your own can be a daunti ng prospect! A pain in the butt is certainly no joke if you are the one who is suff ering with it.
Our team are experts in these types of conditi ons and will only commence a treatment plan aft er a full examinati on and diagnosis has been made.
If any of the above sounds familiar, then we have a soluti on for you; an enormous 50% off a New Pati ent Experience with us at our custom designed clinic in Banchory (saving of £55!).
Get in touch with our friendly team by emailing hello@banchoryspinalhealth. co.uk or calling 01330 824040!
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We are often asked “what is Number One” and we always reply, “whatever you want it to be”.
Number One – Community Matters is a Banchory & District Initiative which was formed 6 years ago in Unit 1 Scott Skinner Square, hence the name. Originally the facility was home to a community cafe and spaces for meetings and workshops. With the end of the lease last year we moved to Unit 7, round the corner in Postie Walk, leaving our old premises for another BDI project, Studio 1.
We believe that Community Matters so we have listened to what people want and have provided a space for anyone to use. At the moment we have a number of groups already using the space.
People wanted a greengrocer in the village, so we host a pop-up greengrocer every Wednesday and Saturday. We try to sell local produce as much as possible. At present we sell produce from Oakwood Market Garden, Katy’s Eggs, Richie Chilli Sauce, local honey and Shirley’s Jam and more. There are also our own products from the excess fruit and vegetables such as chutney, jam and dehydrated herbs and fruit. Any profit from the shop goes towards paying the rent.
People asked for social craft groups so we provide a space to learn how to sew, paint, cook or whatever is wanted. Local people sharing their skills, learning something new while making new friends.
People wanted to reduce food waste so we work with Deeside Climate Action Network (DCAN) to highlight the issue of food waste which produces as much CO2 than cars. A team of volunteers collects excess produce from three supermarkets and give it away in the Community Fridge every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday morning from 9.30am. Anyone can take the free food, otherwise it would go to landfill.
While recovering from the COVID restrictions people asked for a place to meet and socialise. We provide a space for up to 15 people with a kitchen. Groups can meet for a meal or just a cuppa and a blether.
A year ago when the space opened there was no plan, the space has evolved depending on what people want and no doubt will continue to change.
You can book the space or find out more by coming in to the shop on Wednesday or Saturday or email numberonebanchory@gmail.com 21
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FOLLOWING THE MERGER WITH FRASER & MULLIGAN ON 1ST JUNE 2022, MACKINNONS SOLICITORS LLP IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF ITS LATEST BRANCH OFFICE AT 24 BRIDGE STREET, BALLATER AND WHICH WILL ADD TO THE FIRMS EXISTING LEGAL OFFICES IN ABERDEEN, CULTS AND ABOYNE.
The opening of the new office, which will deal with all aspects of private client, property and commercial work, follows the recent appointment to the firm of PAMELA BURSILL (formerly Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace) and GREGOR SIM (formerly Brodies/ James & George Collie) as Senior Associates.
Mackinnons look forward to welcoming clients, both old and new, to our new office and to taking care of your business in the future.
