Lower back pain is a significant problem among American adults, and can make it difficult for you to work or conduct daily tasks. Sciatica is usually a major cause of back pain. Sciatica pain, caused by nerve irritation, compression, or damage, can be acute and stabbing or manifest as tingling, numbness, or burning. The pain typically feels worse when you stand, sit, cough, or sneeze. You are more likely to get Dayton sciatica if:
- Are obese: Excess weight exerts additional strain on the spine, pinching the sciatic nerve. Even athletes, such as weight lifters, might experience nerve compression if they are on the heavy side, as muscle, like excessive fat, can compress the spine. You may avoid sciatica by losing excess weight.
- Aging: Normal aging results in the natural wear and tear of bone tissue and disks in your spine. Normal aging might expose your nerves to injury or pinching due to changes and movements in the bones, disks, and ligaments.
- Have diabetes: Diabetes increases the likelihood of nerve injury, increasing sciatica’s chances. Keeping a food diary and tracking how your blood sugar levels respond to certain foods will assist you in controlling diabetes and preventing sciatica symptoms.
- Smoke: Since nicotine inhibits blood circulation, smokers are more prone to sciatica. If nerve damage develops due to decreased blood supply, the healing process is slowed, and the inflammation may last longer. In the unlikely event that you may require surgery to fix the condition causing your sciatica, smoking also makes your recovery and rehab longer and more challenging.
- Have physically demanding work: Jobs that entail heavy lifting or continuous sitting may raise your risk of low back issues and usage of your back. Taking extra pauses and keeping your back straight while lifting objects may assist you in preventing sciatica.
- Maintain an inactive lifestyle: Sitting for an extended amount of time without moving, stretching, or toning your muscles might increase the likelihood of sciatica.Click here for more information about Mercari
Symptoms of sciatica
The primary indicator is a shooting discomfort anywhere along your sciatic nerve, from the lower back to the buttock and down the back of each leg. Other frequent symptoms of sciatica are numbness in the leg along the nerve and tingling feeling (pins and needles) in your feet and toes. This discomfort can vary in intensity and might be exacerbated by prolonged sitting.
What to anticipate if you have been diagnosed with sciatica
The great news about sciatic discomfort is that it often goes away independently with time and some self-care therapies. Most individuals (80% to 90%) with sciatica get better without surgery, and about half of these recover from an episode completely within six weeks. Be sure to contact your healthcare professional if your sciatica discomfort is not improving and you have concerns that you aren’t healing as quickly as hoped.
Most instances of sciatica do not necessitate surgery. Time and self-care therapy are generally all that is required. However, consult your healthcare physician if basic self-care techniques do not relieve discomfort. If necessary, your healthcare provider can establish the source of your pain or recommend other therapy choices. Call Vertrae® or book your consultation online to determine which sciatica therapies suit you.
