Sciatica affects nearly 40% of people at some point in their lives. While it is most frequent in those aged 40-50, it can occur at any age. Sciatica is an infection that causes back and leg pain. It happens when pain travels down the sciatic nerve’s path. This nerve begins in the lower spine and travels to your back leg and foot, passing through the hip and buttock. Various factors can cause sciatic distress, and getting proper treatment is critical to finding relief from this ailment. Patients of all ages suffering from sciatica in Frisco can be helped by using non-invasive interventional therapies like steroid injections, spinal cord stimulation, and spinal decompression.
While determining the root cause of sciatica can be difficult, medical research has identified the factors that influence a person’s risk of developing sciatic nerve pain. The following are the five key risk factors for sciatica:
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Overweight or obese
Being overweight is a good determinant of back pain and other musculoskeletal issues, including sciatica. According to research, adipose tissue produces inflammatory markers that can affect our entire body, including our cardiovascular and nervous systems. Remember that most sciatica pain is caused by sciatic nerve inflammation, and sciatica is more likely if your whole body is inflamed.
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Workplace incidents
Repetitive motions or being too passive are bad for your musculoskeletal health, which is also true for sciatica. According to research, work-related activities can cause sciatic nerve pain. In the medical literature, the following work conditions have been linked to sciatica:
- Long periods of standing or walking
- Driving for an extended time
- More than 15 minutes of pulling or kneeling at a time
- Vibration throughout the body
If any of these activities are part of your job, it is vital to take frequent breaks, rest, and stretch to avoid muscle injury and pain.
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Smoking
It is no surprise that smoking is harmful to health, and tobacco users are more prone to suffer from back problems and sciatica. Smoking is not only dangerous to your respiratory and cardiovascular system; it is also linked to inflammation, poor circulation, and a weakened immune system. This makes your body’s capacity to perform and heal from incidents more challenging. Tobacco contains nicotine, which has been linked to softer bones, muscles, and spinal tissues, thereby increasing the chance of sciatica.
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History of back pain or other illnesses in the past
According to research, patients who suffer from low back pain are more likely to develop sciatica. Low back pain can cause general inflammation in the lumbar spine, spreading to the sciatic nerve. Pre-existing medical illnesses can raise the likelihood of developing sciatica. Diabetes, osteoarthritis, and a herniated disk are a few examples of diseases that lead to sciatica.
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Sleep issues
According to research, sleep disturbances have been linked to back pain and sciatica. This is a problematic issue because lack of sleep is connected to various health problems, including poor general health, obesity, and chronic pain. Sleep apnea is also related to generalized inflammation associated with severe pain.
Do you want to be free from sciatica pain? Call Spine & Joint Physicians of Frisco or schedule an appointment online today for treatment.
