Cluneal Nerve Pain Treatment in Perth

The Hidden Cause of Chronic Lower Back & Hip Pain

Lower back pain isn't always about "slipped" discs or joint inflammation. At Southside Spine & Sport, we frequently identify Cluneal Nerve Pain, a commonly overlooked condition that mimics sciatica and often resists traditional chiropractic adjustments.

Do You Have Cluneal Nerve Irritation?

The cluneal nerves are sensory branches that travel over the top of the pelvis (the iliac crest). When these nerves are compressed or "stuck" against the bone, they can cause various symptoms that mimic other, more commonly diagnoses problems.

  • Localized Pain: Exquisite tenderness in specific spots around the glute/hip and pelvis

  • Pseudo-sciatica: Sharp, electric sensations shooting down the back of the leg.

  • Worse with Adjustments: You felt temporary relief at first but the nagging ache returns within hours or days.

Our Investigative Treatment Approach

We don't just treat the symptoms, we address the source. For cluneal nerve pain, our protocol focuses on restoring neural mobility by breaking down fibrous adhesions

Manual Soft Tissue Therapy

  • Mechanism: Targeted soft tissue therapy to release fibrous adhesions adjacent the nerves and connective tissues(sacral ligaments and glute muscles) where the nerve passes by.

  • Result: Reduces mechanical irritation during normal activities, allowing for increased pain-free movement.

Shockwave Therapy

  • Mechanism: Acoustic pressure waves stimulate blood flow and reduce nerve sensitivity at the site.

  • Result: Reduction of chronic inflammation and reduced pain during normal movements.

Beyond the Acute Phase: Learning to Move Without Fear

Many patients with cluneal nerve pain have been in pain for a long time. Many of my patients become fearful of movement and learn to over-engage their core. They have been told in the past to simply keep their back straight, which can overtime teach us to keep these muscles engaged all the time and actually make the irritation of the nerves worse, in my clinical experience.

The Jefferson Curl

We utilize the Jefferson Curl to reintroduce controlled spinal flexion. This teaches your brain that bending is safe, breaking the cycle of protective guarding and fearful movement that keeps the cluneal nerves irritated.

Why Southside is Different

We understand that if you’ve had a bad experience with pelvic adjustments. Your nerves are likely sensitized. We take the time (15-minute standard sessions) to palpate and examine carefully, find the exact nerves that triggers pain, and use low-force or high-tech options like Shockwave when adjustments havent helped.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from a herniated disc?

A herniated disc usually involves muscle weakness or loss of reflexes. Cluneal nerve problems are primarily sensory. If your scans are clear (or show minimal findings) but you still have "sciatica-like" pain interfering with your life, the problem is likely occurring outside of the spine.

Why did my previous treatments fail?

If you’ve only had your pelvis adjusted, it can actually sensitize these nerves over time. In my experience, the localized stretching of muscles and ligaments during a manual adjustment can "tug" on the nerves. If the nerve is already inflammed, this mechanical irritation prevents it from settling down.

How many sessions will I need?

Most patients experience a significant change within 3 to 5 sessions. If we haven't seen a substantial shift in that timeframe, it is unlikely to be a cluneal nerve problem that we can resolve. In those cases, we are always happy to refer you to the appropriate health professional to ensure you get the right care.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Our process for Cluneal Nerve pain is investigative and outcome-focused.

1. The Clinical Assessment

We begin by ruling out serious spinal problems. If your pain is cluneal-related, we will find exactly where the nerve is irritated. We use precise palpation to map out the exact spot that reproduces your symptoms.

2. Mechanical Treatment

Treatment is tailored to you.

  • Shockwave Therapy: To desensitize the nerves and stimulate blood flow.

  • Manual Therapy: We focus on releasing fibrous adhesions that limit mobility of the nerve during normal movement.

3. Movement Rehab

The final step is breaking the habit of "over-bracing." We guide you through movements like the Jefferson Curl to prove to your brain that your back is strong and capable of bending. This step is critical to prevent the nerve from becoming irritated again during daily life.

Ready to find the root cause?

Book Now or Message Us to see if your back pain is actually a cluneal nerve issue.