Understanding the Risk Factors for Sciatica

Few things will mess up your plans and lay you flat out like back pain will. There are many types of back pain and some of the worst pain we see in our patients at our chiropractor clinic occurs in the lower back. The most commonly seen kind of lower back pain we see at our Warren chiropractic offices here at Complete Care Chiropractic Clinic is sciatica.

What Exactly is Sciatica Pain?

There is a major nerve in the body that branches out from the spinal cord near the base of the spine. This is called the sciatic nerve. It is a very large nerve and at the base of the spine it branches out with one branch going to the left and one going to the right. The nerves pass over the hip area and continue down the leg. Sciatica pain occurs when that nerve is compromised and results in pain that can occur and radiate anywhere along that nerve.

Why Does Sciatica Pain Happen?

As already mentioned, sciatica pain is caused by damage to the sciatic nerve. Because the nerve runs along the spine and through several major joint areas like the hip and knee, there are many places the nerve can be pinches, pressed, or damaged. In most cases, the issue starts at the base of the spine or right after the branching.  to is why the pain caused by sciatic nerve damage usually starts in the back or hip area and travels down one leg. The sciatic nerve often gets damaged when the vertebrae of the spin shift out of place and pinch into the nerve. From that point of impact down, symptoms such as pain, weakness, and numbness can occur and will continue and will get worse as the nerve damage persists.

How Can Sciatica Pain be Avoided?

Because sciatic nerve damage is almost always connected to back problems, the best way to avoid the pain and symptoms of injured nerves is to avoid injuring your back or pinching the nerve in the first place. If you do a lot of sitting at work or because of school or other factors, make sure you take breaks to stand up and move around every hour or two. If you do a lot of bending, lifting and moving to make sure you maintain proper posture and use any necessary safety equipment. Finally, make sure you are not taking unnecessary risks with lifestyle choices that can put you at risk for injury!

Schedule an Appointment Today!

Contact us today to see what our chiropractor services can do for you here at Complete Care Chiropractic Clinic. You can call us at 586-576-0701 to schedule an appointment today!