Is it sciatica? Or is it Cluneal nerve entrapment? Is it Sciatica or Peroneal Nerve Irritation? Learn the facts. Discover why sciatic treatment fails so often. Get relief with a CORRECT diagnosis!

1. It’s NOT Sciatica!!!
THE MOST COMMON LOW BACK
PAIN PROBLEM IN AMERICA!

2. HAVE YOU BEEN DIAGNOSED
WITH SCIATICA?
• Have you been treated for sciatica by a
medical doctor, chiropractor, physiatrist or
a physical therapist but still have the same
pain?
• Do you have pain at the crest of your hip
running down the back of your buttock?
• If you said yes to either of these, you may
be experiencing “Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment” instead of sciatica!
• It’s far more common!

3. UNFORTUNATELY …
• Most doctors aren’t aware of what the
Cluneal Nerve is, nor a Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment Syndrome.
• However, successful treatment of ANY
ailment completely depends on a
correct diagnosis!
• The greatest treatment in the world will
never work if it’s applied to the wrong
place … for an incorrect diagnosis!
• So let’s determine how to readily make
the distinction between Sciatica and
Cluneal Nerve Entrapment.

4. FIRST, CONSULT THE “MAP”
• The Sciatic Nerve comes out of the
spine under the sacrum (the “tail
bone,”) then goes down the
lower, inner part of the buttock and
down the center of the back of the
thigh.
• Most true sciatic complaints are pain
in the back of the thigh.
• Pain at the TOP of the hip, about 1 ½
to 2 inches to the outside of the
“dimple,” is NOT sciatic pain. The
Sciatic Nerve doesn’t “live” there!
• That’s where the Cluneal Nerve
lives!

5. CONSULT THE “MAP” (CONT’D)
• Sometimes, pain in the Cluneal Nerve
area can be accompanied by pain in
the outside of the lower leg.
• Doctors are taught that this is
evidence of “severe sciatica.”
• But the Sciatic Nerve isn’t here. It’s
not even on the chart!
• That’s because the Sciatic Nerve lives
ABOVE the knee!
• The Peroneal Nerve and Sural Nerve
are responsible for pains in this area.

6. MORE THAN ONE CHALLENGE
• If there’s more than one area of pain in the
body, it’s more likely that there is more
than a single challenge!
• If there’s a Cluneal Nerve Entrapment – you
must correct it.
• If there’s outer, lower-leg, nerve pain, you
have to correct that.
• A “We found the problem!” declaration is a
dangerously simplistic approach to
buttock pain accompanied by leg pain.
• Mostly because it’s completely unrealistic!
It’s usually more than one problem!

7. SCIATIC PAIN
• Components of the Sciatic Nerve originate
from the lowest three spinal nerve roots in
the spine.
• Under the sacrum (tail bone) they unite into
one large bundle to become the Sciatic
Nerve Bundle.
• Even though there can be accompanying
back pain, the Sciatic sensation begins here
at the inner buttock, below the tail bone.
• Sometimes a muscle called the “Piriformis”
can spasm on top of the Sciatic Nerve and
cause pain. This kind of sciatica is called a
“Piriformis Syndrome.”
Piriformis
Muscle
Sciatic Nerve
Bundle

8. CLUNEAL NERVE PAIN
• The cluneal Nerve also has its origins in the nerve
roots of the lower spine; however …
• Sensation begins at the crest of the hip
• Runs down the outer half of the buttock
• And sometimes produces pains in the outer half of
the upper thigh.
• The location of the pain makes differentiating the
diagnosis a simple task …
• Provided the doctor knows he or she should
distinguish the difference!

9. THE OSSEOFIBROUS TUNNEL
• This is an actual tunnel near the top of the
hip. The Cluneal Nerve must pass through
this tunnel.
• For uncertain reasons, the Osseofibrous
Tunnel can bind to the Cluneal Nerve,
restricting its free sliding movement inside
the tunnel.
• The Cluneal Nerve then gets pulled and
stretched with movements.
• That causes the nerve to “fire” and the
sensation is pain throughout the
distribution of the Cluneal Nerve.
• It’s sort of like having Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome in your buttock!
Cluneal Nerve Entrapment
in the Osseofibrous Tunnel

10. TREATMENT OPTIONS
• In rare cases, low back surgery is
necessary; however …
• Use a conservative approach first to rule in
or rule out the necessity for such drastic
measures.
• Most often, either Sciatica or Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment can be treated with measureable
results with non-invasive, conservative care!
• Unfortunately, surgeons seldom have the
training to know when conservative care
might be effective, nor which conservative
care could offer the best outcomes.

11. TREATMENT OPTIONS, CONT’D
• Specialized chiropractic adjustments with a
precision instrument can address nerve
irritations in the lower spine that contribute to
Sciatica or Cluneal Nerve Entrapment.
• Look for an “Advanced proficiency-rated”
Activator chiropractor for the spinal treatment.
(www.activator.com)
• These doctors can often address sciatic pain
from a Piriformis Syndrome as well.
• Unfortunately, very few of even these doctors
know how to identify Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment.
• But those who do know can help release the
entrapped nerve with a non-invasive, gentle
instrument called an “Activator.”

12. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
• Whether you’re working with a
Piriformis Syndrome for sciatica,
• Or with Cluneal Nerve Entrapment;
• Deep tissue massage, in addition to
instrument chiropractic care, can help
release the entrapped nerve.
• Precise direction and pressure are
critical to the successful massage.
• Be sure to consult a doctor or
massage therapist trained in piriformis
syndrome treatment and cluneal nerve
releases.

13. LASER THERAPY
• A highly-sophisticated, programmable
cold laser can be programmed to
encourage the release of entrapped
nerves.
• They also reduce pain,
• Reduce inflammation,
• Soothe nerve irritation,
• And help to stabilize the correction.
• Look for a qualified doctor who uses
an Erchonia PL5000 cold laser.
• Others are simply “wannabe” amateur
instruments.

14. FINDING A DOCTOR
• Dr. Warren Hammer of Norwalk, CT,
published a paper in Dynamic Chiropractic
in the 1990’s describing the location and
sensation distribution of the Cluneal
Nerve.
• Dr. Rick Boatright, with practices in
Phoenix, AZ and Show Low, AZ tested the
information he learned from Dr. Hammer.
For the past decade and a half he’s
developed the treatment approaches
you’ve read on this slide presentation.
• With thousands of successful cases, he is
currently the leading pioneer in differential
diagnosis and treatment of Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment in the chiropractic profession.

15. DR. RICK BOATRIGHT
• Dr. Boatright can be contacted for care in
Arizona at either of his locations. Call (928)
243-5665.
• His hours change with the seasons so
please call for available hours.
• To find out more about Dr. Boatright, go to
www.drrickboatright.com.
• To see a short video on Cluneal Nerve
Entrapment, cut and paste the URL below
into your web browser:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbd-
LRTdias&feature=autoplay&list=HL134740385
1&playnext=1
• Or go to You Tube and type in “Cluneal
Nerve Entrapment” in the search window.

16. HAPPY TO CONSULT
• If you would like your chiropractor to
talk with Dr. Boatright about Cluneal
Nerve Entrapment, feel free to give him
or her Dr. Boatright’s contact
information on the previous slide.
• Thanks for visiting us!