The spine can be affected by certain complications. Sciatica is one of the conditions affecting the spine. It is a pain that occurs due to inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the nerve that runs from the lower spine to body parts such as the legs and feet. Sciatica is a painful and uncomfortable condition to live with. As such, it is wise to consult doctors who treat sciatica in Phoenix at Mountain View Headache and Spine Institute. The pain specialists will diagnose sciatica which may be the leading cause of your lower back pain.
Symptoms of Sciatica
- Lower back pain- This is the most noticeable symptom of sciatica
- Hip pain
- Burning feeling on the leg
- Difficulty in standing up due to the pain
- Numbness in the feet and legs
Risk Factors for Sciatica
- Poor posture- Poor back posture is a factor that puts many individuals at the risk of getting sciatica. The poor back position is caused by improper sitting, standing, and walking. Poor back posture creates an imbalance putting a lot of pressure on the back muscles. If the condition occurs for a long time, it creates irritation of the sciatic nerves. People who work on computers the whole day or students who sit for long hours are the main victims of sciatica due to improper sitting postures.
- Diabetes- Diabetes restricts blood flow due to high sugar levels in the blood. Restricted blood flow levels cause slow nerve healing. People in such a condition are at a very high risk of experiencing sciatica.
- Smoking- Diabetes and smoking have the same effect on the nerves of the back, which may cause sciatica. Smoking exposes your blood cells to nicotine. Nicotine plays a massive role in restricting blood flow to other parts of the body. Nerve healing will take longer for smokers because there is a blood flow restriction to the nerves. The condition is worse when the sciatic nerve is damaged.
- Lifting heavy objects.
- Lifting heavy objects puts a lot of strain on your lower back. A lot of strain on the lower back may damage the sciatic nerve and eventually cause sciatica. People in the line of work that involve lifting heavy objects are at a higher chance of getting sciatica.
- Age- Sciatica is linked with age. The older a person gets, the higher the chance of getting the condition. There are a lot of changes that occur in the spine due to age. Such changes include bone spurs and herniated disks.
- Obesity- Obese people are overweight. Their weight puts a lot of pressure on the spine. A lot of pressure on the spine contributes to damage of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica specialists advise obese people to make lifestyle changes to help them lose weight to put them out of risk of getting sciatica.
Prevention
Any individual can easily prevent sciatica. You have to implement lifestyle changes in your life to avoid putting a lot of pressure on your lower back. You also have to quit smoking and visit a Sciatica specialist if you experience extreme back pains.
Manage Sciatica Today
Sciatica is a nerve condition that affects a lot of people. Sciatica specialists can provide treatment to the condition before it gets worse. Book a consultation today with the sciatica specialists.