4 Factors That Could Be Contributing To Your Sciatica

It’s hard to stay focused, or even relax, when you’re dealing with shooting, stabbing sciatica pain. This condition is also known as lumbar radiculopathy. Sciatica symptoms result from pressure on your sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your buttocks and legs.

At the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, neurosurgeon Dr. Praveen Reddy and his team find some common factors that contribute to, or worsen, sciatica. At our locations in Conroe, The Woodlands, and the Willowbrook area of Houston, Texas, we provide diagnosis and support for new and existing patients with sciatica.

Do any of these four common factors that contribute to sciatica appear in your lifestyle or medical history? If so, your treatment plan may need to address the issue directly.

1. Posture problems when sitting, lifting, or twisting

Your posture matters when it comes to avoiding spinal nerve compression conditions like sciatica. That’s especially true if you spend a lot of time in a seated position, or if you regularly lift or twist with heavy objects.

Poor posture can result in sciatic nerve compression and sciatica pain. When your spine is correctly positioned, nerve pinching is much less likely. Resolving your sciatica may be as simple as changing your posture for work or hobby activities, or taking more time to stretch out tight muscles.

2. Excess body weight

When you carry an excess amount of body fat, your tissues, joints, and nerves all bear the additional pressure. Sciatica may be worsened if you’re overweight or obese. You should also know that diabetes can contribute to sciatica and nerve damage.

Healthy, moderate weight loss may make a significant difference in the frequency and severity of your sciatica flare-ups. Losing just 5-10% of your body weight improves your outcomes with health conditions like sciatica.

3. Smoking

Smoking is a risk factor for sciatica, so if sciatica pain has you upset, it’s time to quit. Smoking is also a risk factor in spinal disc degeneration, which can in turn result in sciatica. And, smoking worsens your circulation, especially in the lower areas of your body like your legs, making sciatica symptoms more painful.

Smoking cessation has been shown to reduce your risk of chronic pain conditions, including sciatica.

4. Underlying spinal issues

In some cases, sciatica pain is related to an underlying spinal issue that needs to be addressed. If your sciatic nerve is being pinched as it exits your spine, a condition like a herniated spinal disc could be causing the spinal canal to narrow. Bone spurs, osteoarthritis, and spinal tumors can also trigger sciatica symptoms.

If you need treatment for an underlying spinal issue, the team at the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC, has your back. We pursue the most conservative treatment plan possible for your condition, which could include:

• Physical therapy
• Epidural steroid injections
• Minimally invasive surgery

You may need a surgical procedure like a microdiscectomy for a herniated disc, or lumbar decompression for spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).

No matter what’s causing, or worsening, your sciatica symptoms, you can get the treatment you need to improve your condition and resolve your pain with the Center for Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery, PLLC.

Schedule your first sciatica consultation appointment online or over the phone today.