Sciatica – The Pain That Keeps You Pinned to The Couch

Posted by Cynthia Madison on October 29th, 2019

Sciatica is a type of lower-back pain that affects the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body and has one of the most important functions. It affects the way you move and feel your legs. Sciatica pain can sometimes be so severe, it can leave you not wanting to get out of bed. But, in reality, living a sedentary life can be one of the causes of sciatica.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Many people who experience lower back pain think they might be suffering from sciatica, but the type of pain involved with it has very specific traits:

•          Severe lower back pain that worsens with movement
•          Pain in the hip or leg, that tends to intensify when seating
•          Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
•          Loss of feeling or movement in one of the legs, following the pathway of the sciatic nerve
•          In some cases, you may even experience the inability to control your bowels or bladder due to the pain.

“Mild sciatica typically starts going away after a week, but if you experience one or more of the above symptoms for longer, go talk to your doctor about it”, the experts from Total Wellness Center advise.

Common Causes

There are multiple conditions involving the spine and nerves that can cause sciatica, such as:

•          Herniated disks: when the cartilage that separates the spinal bones rips, the substance that ensures the flexibility and protection of the vertebrae can compress the sciatic nerve and result in pain.
•          Spinal stenosis: the lower spinal canal narrows in an abnormal way, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and sciatic nerve roots

Other causes do not necessarily involve a medical condition, but rather an unhealthy lifestyle:

•          Obesity: excess body weight can increase the stress on the spine and put pressure on the sciatic nerve
•          Extended sitting: people who spend a long period of time sitting every day, or who lead a sedentary life can develop sciatica

Prevention Methods

While sciatica is not always easy to prevent, there are some things you can do to protect and care for your back:

Regular exercise: to strengthen your back, you need to work your core muscles. Working out your abdominal and lower back muscles can help with your posture and release the pressure from your spine.

Maintaining your posture: whether you are sitting or standing, you need to always adjust your posture, so that your back does not get affected. If you are sitting at a desk most part of the day, choose a chair that has good lower back support, and keep your knees and hips at the same level.

Body mechanics: don’t put too much pressure on your back when having to do simple daily tasks. If you need to stand for a long period, rest your foot on something that elevates your knee from time to time. When you need to lift heavy objects, bend your knees and keep your back straight, while performing straight up and down moves.