Sciatica or Tight Hips? How Vancouver RMTS Pinpoint—and Treat—the Real Issue
That shooting pain down your leg after a long day cycling Vancouver’s hills or sitting through back-to-back meetings in Yaletown. You assume it’s sciatica, but what if your hips are the culprit? Vancouver’s registered massage therapists (RMTS) see this confusion daily, and misdiagnosing the problem can lead to months of ineffective treatment.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✔ How to tell if it’s true sciatica or hip-related pain
✔ Why Vancouverites are especially prone to both issues
✔ The RMT assessment that reveals the real problem
✔ Targeted treatments for cyclists, hikers, and desk workers
Sciatica vs. Hip Pain: Why Vancouverites Get Confused
1. The Classic Sciatica Symptoms
Sharp, electric pain from the lower back to the foot
Numbness/tingling in the leg
Worse when sitting (especially on the Skytrain or at a desk)
2. The Hip Impersonator
Dull ache in the buttock or outer thigh (common in cyclists)
Stiffness after sitting (but no nerve symptoms)
Often linked to Grouse Grind overuse or WFH posture
The Vancouver RMT Assessment: Finding the Source
1. Movement Tests
Seated vs. standing pain: Sciatica worsens when sitting; hip pain often feels better
Single-leg squats: Hip weakness reveals itself quickly
Piriformis stretch response: True sciatica won’t improve with stretching
2. Palpation Clues
Gluteal trigger points → Likely hip-related
Nerve tension signs → True sciatica
3. Activity Analysis
Cyclists: Often have tight hip flexors pulling on the lumbar spine
Hikers: Weak glutes strain the piriformis
Desk workers: Anterior pelvic tilt irritates the sciatic nerve
Vancouver-Specific Treatment Plans
For True Sciatica
Nerve flossing techniques to improve mobility
Lumbar decompression (especially after long drives to Whistler)
Ergonomic adjustments for office chairs/car seats
For Hip-Related Pain
Psoas release (critical for cyclists)
Glute activation exercises (for hikers with "dead butt syndrome")
Hip capsule mobilizations (for stiffness from rainy weather)
Home Care for Vancouverites
Cyclists: Post-ride hip flexor stretches
Hikers: Foam rolling before hitting the trail
WFH folks: Standing desk microbreaks every 30 mins
3 Red Flags You Need Professional Help
Leg weakness (trouble standing on toes/heels)
Bowel/bladder changes (emergency
Pain lasting >2 weeks despite stretching
Ready to solve your leg pain puzzle?
➡ Book an assessment with a Vancouver RMT today.
