Sciatica is an extremely common condition, one that I treat regularly at Lifestyle Chiropractic. Many of my patients suffer from sciatica, and it’s often the primary purpose for their visit to my office. I want to take the time to cast some light on this issue by addressing its causes, symptoms, treatment, and of course, prevention.
So, what is sciatica? Sciatica is noted by the following symptoms: lower back pain; pain in the buttocks or leg that is worse when sitting; hip pain; tingling down leg or even into foot; weakness, numbness, or constant pain on one side of the buttocks. Usually, these symptoms are manifested on one side of the body and can extend from the lower back all the way down the leg, and even into the foot. The severity of sciatica symptoms ranges from moderate and occasional to severe and debilitating.
The cause of sciatica ranges from person to person. Often, it’s caused by an irritation of the roots of the lumbar or lumbosacral spine and sciatic nerve. Degenerative disc disease can also cause sciatica.
Interestingly enough, a recent study proved that working conditions, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, and previous back/neck pain history does effect someone’s likelihood to suffer from sciatica. The study evaluated 5,261 people between the ages of 40 and 60. The following results emerged:
Women are more likely to develop sciatica if they have a labor-intensive occupation, are overweight, if they smoke, are not physically active, or have had previous neck and back pain. A combination of these traits increases the risk of women developing sciatica. For men, even those employed in semi-professional jobs with the same traits listed above are at a higher risk for developing sciatica.
The research cited above touches on the fact that increased psychological stress in the workplace or bodily stress induced by lack of exercise or intense labor makes both men and women more susceptible to sciatica. This increased stress paired with unhealthy habits such as smoking or poor nutrition adds to a person’s likelihood to suffer from sciatica.
A healthy lifestyle plays a major role in preventing the onset of sciatica. Stress reduction and stress management (both physically and mentally) is absolutely essential, along with proper nutrition and a smoking cessation plan.
Whether you want to prevent sciatica or treat it, I can help you. With years of experience in lifestyle coaching and chiropractic treatment, I will help either ease your symptoms or prevent them from ever appearing. Sciatica symptoms are unpleasant and cause additional stress in your life, but they are treatable and preventable. Come see me if you have any concern of developing sciatica or are currently suffering from the condition.
Best of health,
Dr. Chad M. Hoffman