Sciatica is a condition that can rear its ugly head at any time, usually without warning. If you're one of the many people who suffer from sciatica, you know how debilitating it can be, and you constantly pursue effective ways to get rid of sciatica. But even if you've never experienced sciatica firsthand, it's essential to be aware of the risks and symptoms associated with this condition. You might be one of those at a higher risk of developing this condition, so it pays to be informed to protect yourself against this painful disorder.
Do you know if you're at risk of sciatica? The truth is that anyone can have sciatica, but some are more at risk for this condition due to different contributing factors. Prolonged sitting, for instance, can trigger sciatica eventually. If you sit for long hours daily, you can be at a higher risk of sciatica. Observe if there will be pain and discomfort that you could feel in your lower back or if you have been experiencing discomfort from the area that radiates down to your affected leg. Sciatica affects about 40% of the population.
There are several risk factors for sciatica, and we will explore more of them below.
If you have been researching how to get rid of sciatica because of your uncomfortable symptoms, you should know that sitting too much can also trigger and worsen your pain and discomfort. Sitting puts pressure on your lower back, glute muscles, and sciatic nerve. If done for long hours, your spinal column has to endure the mechanical stress a bit longer.
Switching your positions and moving around can give your sciatic nerve a break and removes the pressure on the same parts, including your spine, for too long. It also helps the blood to flow smoothly in the area.
Having enough back support also helps minimize stress on your spinal discs, minimizing the pressure on your sciatic nerve. For those working on desk jobs or driving long distances, you can look for back support from specialized stores or try to put a small pillow or rolled-up towel for support.
You may not realize this, but sitting on very soft couches and chairs can contribute to sciatica because of the high probability of slouching and pulling your spine in unhealthy ways. If possible, settle for firmer cushions.
People whose jobs require demanding physical tasks such as carrying heavy loads are highly susceptible to having sciatica. Stunt actors, professional athletes, firefighters, and construction workers are some physically demanding jobs that can potentially increase risks for sciatica. The condition also doesn't spare desk workers due to prolonged sitting and poor posture during work hours.
Sciatica is one of the numerous health concerns linked to obesity. Those on the heavier side and overweight tend to put excessive stress and pressure on their spine and hip bones which can eventually irritate the sciatic nerve leading to sciatica pain. Excess weight can also aggravate the situation of those with sciatica and affect the body's ability to heal and recover from an injury. It can also strain the knees and feet and lead to spinal disc herniation in the lower back.
Naturally, the body has to face wear and tear as you age. The organs and systems in your body age and deteriorate as well. This includes the spine, its strength, and bone density. Bone and muscle injury can also occur apart from sciatica due to age.
Patients with diabetes are also at risk for sciatica. Diabetes usually deals with a person's high blood sugar levels. Nerve fibers damage may soon follow when the sugar level stays high for long. Because of damaged nerve fibers, diabetic patients may experience similar sciatica symptoms in the hands, legs, or feet. Your doctor can help you identify if your sciatic nerve has been affected by diabetes already to know how to get rid of sciatica.
Cigarette smoking can put you at risk for several health conditions, including back pain and sciatica. Your spinal discs do not get sufficient nutrients because smoking causes more premature degeneration than average. Then comes the physical symptoms, such as irritation in your sciatic nerve due to bulged or herniated discs. If you've been smoking for quite some time, imagine how long you've been actively contributing to your spine's degeneration by depriving it of proper nutrients.
Nowadays, many people prefer to get things done fast and expect immediate results. However, it's different when it comes to resolving health concerns. Most of the time, the solution to your problem requires a lot of time and attention. The same goes for sciatica.
Apart from ensuring you incorporate stretching and proper posture, there can be a better way to manage and get rid of the pain and discomfort caused by sciatica which is upper cervical chiropractic care.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specially designed technique that focuses only on the upper cervical spine found in your neck. Manipulation and adjustments will only be done in your neck area and will only gently move your C1 and C2 vertebrae.
If you're wondering how to get rid of sciatica with upper cervical care, it is by correcting a misalignment in your upper cervical spine. The misalignment usually results from injury and trauma. Sometimes, repeated pressure and stress in some regions of your body influence their misalignment too. Once the top two neck bones shift their alignment, the rest of the spine follows, eventually irritating and affecting your sciatic nerve, prompting sciatica pain and other debilitating symptoms.
We suggest trying upper cervical chiropractic care if you're keen to experience a different approach to sciatica and its varying symptoms. You can visit the Upper Cervical Awareness directory of chiropractic doctors in the United States and Canada to find a licensed practice near you.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
