Question
Pain started in left glute, then seemed to hit left groin/inside left leg area, and radiate between the two in severity and frequency depending upon activity levels.  Lying down caused groin area pain, sitting and driving caused buttocks pain.  No memorable event to cause onset of pain.  No actual pain in lower back.  Has been suggested this might be associated with sciatia or a bulging disc.  Does sciatic run to groin area?

Answer
sciatica, herniated disc, bulging disc, pinched nerve, groin pain, buttock pain, no particular trauma, low back pain,

Hello James,

Sorry to hear of your pain.

"Sciatica" is often used by people to describe any pinched nerve pain from the back into the leg.  The concept is correct, the name is wrong.  The Sciatic Nerve, is a particular nerve that originates in the lower back and supplies the posterior (back) part of the leg.
The Sciatic nerve does give off many smaller branches, but primarily they serve the back of the leg.  Could one of these branches be involved with your groin pain, possibly, but probably not.

There are other nerves that supply the anterior (front) portion of the leg.  Perhaps the Ilioinguinal nerve, or the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous nerve, or the Femoral nerve is (are) involved in your groin pain.  These nerves supply the front of the leg.

"Sciatica" to the front of the leg is a misnomer.  Sciatica is a pinched nerve, usually with back of leg symptoms.  You can have a pinched nerve that supplies your groin area, but it is more likely a branch of one of the nerves mentioned above.

ALL of these 'pinched nerves' can originate in the back- the spine.
So, while 'Sciatica' may be a misnomer,,,, 'pinched nerve' may be the mechanism of the cause of the complaint.

So, look to the source of the problem, the cause of the pain, the lower back, the lumbar spine.  Your local Doctor of Chiropractic is an excellent place to go for an evaluation and treatment if appropriate.

Evaluation should include case history consultation, physical examination- especially of the area of complaint, perhaps Xray, perhaps MRI or other testing.

Areas to be examined include the lower back, discs, hip, groin; you want to differentiate the different areas, the different possible causes of pain.

In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize information handout sheets, perhaps this will be helpful for you:

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揝ciatica?  ( Also Known As-   neuritis,  neuralgia,  sciatic-radiculitis   )

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  憇ciatica?  .... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a 憇ciatica?  Frequently-  the true    c a u s e   of  the 憇ciatica?  = pain in the lower back, buttock(s), thigh, calf and/or foot (even to toes);  is a misalignment,  a  慿ink?in the spine- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. 摂Sciatica敂  is only  1/2  a diagnosis  ....   what is   causing   the sciatica?

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is often the underlying cause of sciatica and many healthcare problems.  A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This   (subluxation)  is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).   

Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.

 The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

Subluxation  is  a  serious  condition  identified  by  its  five  parts:
    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
    Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.   
         Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
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PAIN     Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?  Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.  That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car- -- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  Pain, pain in your body- -- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?  

NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:  
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;
  
The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.
Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).   

Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.  

The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
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I hope the above information helps.  I recommend a trip to your local family Doctor of Chiropractic.  This Staten Island Chiropractor treats 'pinched nerves' like this all day, every day.

I wish you luck and Good Health Naturally,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com       (email newsletter)