Sciatica is characterized by chronic back pain caused by injury to or problems with the sciatic nerve. Slipping & falling or herniated disks applying pressure on nerves lead to this type of pain. Sciatica is characterized by sharp discomfort in the back which can radiate through the buttocks, legs and hips. With the right type of treatment, however, it can be subdued in its early stages.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica can occur due to several physical conditions, including:
- Obesity: Excess body weight leads to additional pressure on the spine which in turn affects spinal alignment which can trigger sciatica.
- Diabetes: This metabolic disorder elevates the chances of nerve damage which makes you vulnerable to sciatica.
- Age: Age is often the primary reason behind this pain. Changes in the spine, like vulnerability to herniated disks and bone spurs, also leads to sciatica or increases the chances of it.
- Sedentary lifestyle: When you aren’t active enough or spend a majority of your time sitting or lying down, it can affect the alignment of your spine and lead to sciatica. A sedentary lifestyle also leads to obesity which further damages the sciatic nerve.
- Lifestyle: If you lift heavy weights frequently, live a hectic lifestyle that affects your muscle and bone health, sciatica will likely affect you as you age.
Symptoms of sciatica
Look out for these symptoms when you suffer any sort of back pain:
- Trouble controlling your bowel and bladder functions
- Weakness in the affected leg; trouble with movement and walking
- Numbness in the affected leg; complete loss of feeling over time
- Severe and sudden spasms in the lower back
- Mild aches escalating into sharp stabbing pain
Chiropractic for sciatica treatment
Regular exercise and correcting posture usually prevent sciatica from becoming severe. Chiropractic adjustment helps to relax the sciatic nerve and significantly reduce discomfort. It has been proven that chiropractic adjustments are a safe, drug- and side-effect-free way to relieve this kind of pain.
