Understanding Sciatica: The Causes Behind the Pain
The physical toll sciatica takes is much discussed; however, living with sciatica also comes with a lot of emotional challenges. It is normal for you to feel unheard or unseen, as most around you could be oblivious to your distress. Don’t worry, though. We are here to find an answer to the pressing question of “what causes sciatica” and help you live a pain-free life. These are not mere words. We at Prime Health Hub Taringa have helped countless people get lasting relief from discomfort and pain.
Sciatica is unpredictable. One day, you would be able to wake up and go for a run. Meanwhile, on other days, you would struggle to stand straight without pain for fifteen minutes. What’s tricky about sciatica is that there are no set rules to deal with it. The struggles are different for everyone, and they vary from day to day.
For some, sciatica comes with very mild pain, while for others it is debilitating to say the least. In this article, we dive deep into what causes sciatica pain and discuss how to get relief from it.
Most Common Causes of Sciatica
Searching for what causes sciatica as soon as there’s a sharp pain? Sciatica is caused by lifestyle and medical factors. We list below some of the most common causes.
Medical Factors Causing Sciatica
Herniated Disc
Herniation is a common problem in today’s times. It occurs when the cushion between two vertebrae pushes out due to factors such as age, trauma, and stress. Sedentary lifestyle and deficiencies are common causes.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a common condition that causes narrowing of the spine. Congenital abnormalities, age-related degeneration, and injuries are risk factors of spinal stenosis.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle is situated in the buttocks. Certain factors, such as trauma, inflammation, and overuse, cause the piriformis muscle to compress the sciatic nerve. This condition is called the piriformis syndrome. It causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the buttocks.
Lifestyle Factors
Improper Posture
We have all read that taking regular breaks between long working hours is essential. Have you ever wondered why? Working on your laptop for hours without breaks puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Slouching, hunching, and leaning forward, common when working on laptops, place uneven pressure on the hip and spine.
Most people don’t even realise what they are doing is harmful until it’s too late. For example, standing with unequal weight distribution is something most of us do. However, did you know that this increases the risk of sciatica? Even sitting on a chair with poor lumbar support can trigger pain among some.
Heavy Lifting
If your job involves repeatedly lifting heavy objects, you will be at a higher risk of developing sciatica. Using proper form, such as lifting with your legs, is important to prevent back pain issues.
Obesity
This is the single largest contributor to sciatica in today’s time. Obesity puts immense pressure on the spine, hips, and lower back. These are the areas through which the sciatic nerve passes.
The extra pressure causes spinal disc herniation and muscle imbalance, adding further pressure on the sciatic nerve and spine. Normal activities, like sitting and walking, cause nerve compression among those dealing with chronic obesity.
Smoking
Love taking smoke breaks? Sorry, but we have bad news. Smoking significantly reduces blood flow to spinal discs, putting you more at risk for sciatica. High stress levels and chronic diabetes are also commonly associated with sciatica.
When To Consult An Osteopath In Brisbane
If the pain gets out of hand, you will not be able to go about your daily life without discomfort. Here is a list of scenarios in which you must immediately consult an osteopath in Brisbane.
Persistent Pain:
If you have been ignoring the gnawing pain shooting across your leg, consider this a sign to seek medical assistance. Persistent, relentless pain affects your daily routine, making even sitting, walking, or jogging a hectic task.
Numbness In The Foot:
The tingling sensation in your foot that just doesn’t go away could be a sign of sciatica. Early osteopathic intervention is crucial to managing symptoms and preventing the condition from worsening.
Travelling Pain:
If you feel the pain travelling across your legs to your lower back and surrounding areas, you must seek prompt osteopathic intervention. Through gentle manipulation, an osteopath will provide you with lasting relief.
Bowel or Bladder Challenges:
Seek medical attention if you are experiencing bowel or bladder challenges. It is, of course, an extreme effect of sciatica and is not something most people must worry about.
If You Favour A Non-Invasive Approach:
Osteopathy is a drug-free, non-invasive treatment method. If you are worried about being on antibiotics or undergoing invasive procedures, osteopathy is the right solution for you.
What To Expect At Prime Health Hub - Osteopaths For Sciatica Pain
Studying Patient History
We take the time to study the patient’s history in-depth. From prior injuries and repetitive strains to surgeries or diseases, we try to understand everything that could have impacted the biomechanics of your spine, pelvis, or hips. You will be asked to bring previous X-rays and medical records to help us understand your overall health and well-being.
Evaluating Joints
Our osteopaths begin by evaluating the joints, muscles, and painful or tense parts of the spine. This helps to determine the types of biomechanical imbalances or spinal misalignments present, as well as which joints or muscles are inflamed.
Assessment
Osteopaths use a holistic, or whole-body, approach. So, you should not be surprised when they check other body parts. This is to determine whether they have an impact on spinal dysfunction. Often, this entails assessing how the spine and pelvis (your hips and tailbone) work together, how the spine and the leg work together, and whether the upper body is aiding in the movement of the spine.
Suggesting Suitable Treatment
We use advanced technology to find the root cause of your sciatica and provide evidence-based treatment. At Prime Health Hub Taringa, we combine osteopathy, yoga, meditation, and exercise prescription. You also get 24/7 access to your exercise program through our mobile app.
Services That May Be Used During Your Appointment
Diagnostic Services
- Vestibular rehab using Vesticam
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Orthopedic testing
- Nervoscope assessment
- Digital postural assessment
Treatment Modalities
- Ultrasound-guided dry needling
- Shockwave therapy
- Laser therapy
- Vestibular rehabilitation (with Vesticam)
- Hivamat lymphoedema therapy
- Cupping therapy
- Yoga prescription
- Exercise prescription (with mobile app updates and tracking)
Osteopathic Approaches
- General Osteopathy
- Cranial Osteopathy
- Visceral Osteopathy
- Cranial and peripheral nerve manipulation
Additional Supportive Care
- Ongoing health and wellness programs
- Yoga and meditation practices
- 24/7 access to exercise programs and patient-reported outcome tracking via mobile app
Conclusion
Sciatica poses significant mental and physical challenges. In this blog, we have addressed the question “what causes sciatica”. We discussed how a combination of lifestyle and medical factors, such as obesity, heavy lifting, improper posture, smoking, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome, can contribute to pain. You must seek sciatica treatment in Brisbane if the pain is getting in the way of doing things you love. Prime Health Hub Taringa is a trusted osteopath for sciatica pain in Brisbane. Click here or call (07) 3568 4775 to book an appointment today.