It’s an all-too familiar tale: you are bending down to pick up something off the floor and suddenly you feel a sharp pain from your back and down the back of your leg. What is happening is that the pain originates along your sciatic nerve, which extends from the back of your pelvis down the back of your thigh. So, what to do? This article will help you understand the condition so that when you see your sciatica doctor in Webster, Texas, you can ask the right questions and find a permanent solution.
❓ Did you know? The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in our bodies.
What Causes Sciatica?
People often confuse lower back pain with sciatica. However, sciatica results from damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve is responsible for the functioning of the hamstrings directly and of the calf muscles, anterior lower leg muscles and some foot muscles indirectly. When we experience sciatica pain, it is often worsened if we flex the lumbar spine, i.e., when we twist, bend or cough. It is very important to learn the difference between an irritated sciatic nerve and motor dysfunction, easily misdiagnosed. In most cases, an inflammatory condition is what leads to sciatica.
Common causes of sciatica
These are some of the factors that can result in pressure on the sciatic nerve:
- A hernia
- Poor posture
- A blood clot
- Awkward sitting position (check your WFH setup!)
- Nerve disorders
Additionally, there are some risk factors that can contribute to sciatica. For example, age. Patients in their fourth decade tend to suffer from sciatica more frequently. Also, unless there is secondary trauma, it rarely affects people under 20 years of age. Occupation might be a contributing factor if it requires that we sit for long periods of time. Likewise, people who don’t move a lot are more likely to have sciatica episodes. It is imperative that you contact a specialist the moment you feel that sharp pain. At Space City Pain, you can find a specialized sciatica doctor in Webster, Texas.
What Can You Do to Prevent Sciatica?
Whereas it is not one hundred percent possible to avoid suffering a sciatica attack, there are steps you can take to reduce the probabilities.
- Doing exercise regularly to strengthen the back muscles and those needed to keep good posture.
- In line with that, keeping a good posture while seated is key. This is especially important for people working from home nowadays. Make sure your chair provides good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base.
- Finally, being respectful with your body goes a long way. This means that, for example, if you need to stand for long periods of time, you should learn to give your legs some rest from time to time by doing some light and easy exercises.
Find Your Sciatica Doctor in Webster, Texas
Our Board Certified specialists are skilled in cutting-edge treatments for sciatica. Furthermore, most offer alternatives to medication (they can be combined with it if necessary). Also, as stated throughout this article, causes vary, so when you come to Space City Pain, you will find personalized attention and a tailor-made program to suit your needs.
Space City Pain has been a pioneer in pain management in the community since 2004 and continues to be at the forefront of pain care. Our friendly, bilingual, and highly specialized staff excels at providing pain relief to patients. What’s more, we also serve League City, Texas City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, and surrounding areas.
