Can a Tilted Uterus Cause Back Pain?
Back pain can be a significant issue for many women. It’s often attributed to common causes, such as muscle strain or injury. However, did you know that your uterus might be a factor? Can a tilted uterus cause back pain? Yes, a tipped or retroverted uterus can influence your back health. In this article, we will explore the connections between a tilted uterus and back pain. We will examine how these conditions may lead to discomfort.
Understanding this relationship can help you identify potential causes of your pain and seek appropriate solutions.
Sciatica refers to pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body. It originates at the lumbosacral plexus, located at the L4-S3 level. This nerve has branches that extend to the foot.
When most people think about sciatica, they think of compression from the L4-L5/S1 or tension in the piriformis.
The Lasegue test
The Lasegue test is a standard test for sciatic nerve pain resulting from lumbar disc compression. To perform the Lasegue test, the patient lies on their back with their legs straight. The practitioner then lifts one leg without any help from the patient. If lifting the leg between 30 and 70 degrees causes pain, it suggests disc compression. However, if the practitioner inhibits* the pelvic ovarian zone and it produces immediate improvement in hip flexion by up to 30 degrees, it’s an indication that the origin of the pain is not a disc problem. It may be rooted in an ovarian or uterine restriction, displacement (especially retroversion), or enlargement. Enlargement may be from a fibroid, adenomyosis, venous congestion, or a large cyst.
*Inhibition is a specific osteopathic technique performed by a Visceral Manipulation™ practitioner or osteopath.
Pelvic ovarian zone: If you draw a line from ASIS to pubic symphysis, the ovarian zone would be in the lower third.
Ovarian restrictions can also cause low back pain, typically in the premenstrual phase. If movement increases pain, then the root may be more mechanical in nature and involve disc problems. Ovarian restriction causes of low back pain wouldn’t cause more pain with movement.
Sciatica in the female patient: anatomical considerations, aetiology and review of the literature
Eur Spine J. 2007 Jun; 16(6): 721–731.
Published online 2006 Apr 19. doi
Abstract:
“The principal author was confronted few years ago with the case of a 38-year-old woman with a 5-month history of ill-defined L5 sciatic pain that was referred to an orthopaedic department for investigation and eventual surgical treatment for what was suspected to be herniated disc-related sciatica. Removal of her enlarged uterus found unexpectedly close to the sacroiliac joint upon lumbar MRI abolished her symptoms. Review of the literature showed that the lumbosacral trunk is vulnerable to pressure from any abdominal mass originating from the uterus and the ovaries. Physiological processes in the female patient and gynaecological diseases may be the source of sciatica, often not readily searched for, leading to fruitless investigations and surgical treatments. The aim of the paper is to highlight gynaecological and obstetrical causes of sciatica and sciatica-like symptoms. To prevent unproductive expenses and morbidity, a thorough gynaecological examination should be done even though neurological examination may be suggestive of a herniated intervertebral disc, and the cyclic pattern of pain related to menses should be routinely asked for.” READ full article HERE.
“Some kinds of visceral pain go as far down as the lower leg. Pain of tuba-ovarian origin should never extend past the ankle. The cutaneous tibial ramus circulates particularly in the internal calf and irritation of this nerve can be confused with sciatica. The saphenous nerve (branch of the femoral nerve) has a posterior terminal branch in the leg which is related to the saphenous vein. Irritations of this branch also produces similar symptoms” (Barral, 1993).
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.