The Common Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain
Did you know that sciatica treatment depends on the cause? Most often, sciatic nerve pain occurs because of a problem in your lower back. However, there are other causes to watch out for.
Sciatica responds well to treatment, but first, you’ll need to figure out the cause of your pain specifically. So, what are the most common causes of sciatic nerve pain?
Keep reading to find out.
Bulging Disc or Herniated Disc
One of the most common causes of sciatic nerve pain is an issue with your disc. The disc is responsible for several spine functions including acting as a cushion for the vertebrae, giving the spine its flexibility, and transferring the load on the spine from one disc to the other.
A bulging or herniated disc happens more often in the lumbar spine because it is the part that supports the weight of the upper body.
Having a herniated disc is worse than a bulging one because it caused direct compression of the nerve root against the bony spinal canal.
Disc Degeneration
Sciatic nerve damage can happen because of disc degeneration. This is a risk factor for herniated discs more than it is a cause for sciatica.
Disc degeneration is a common part of aging because the water content in the discs drops. This makes discs more brittle, prone to herniation, and overall weaker.
Although this cause is often unavoidable, there are some modifications you can make to reduce your risk, including:
- Practicing proper lifting mechanics
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Not smoking
- Moving more and sitting less
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can be slowed with the above healthy habits.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis causes passageways to become clogged or narrow which compresses the nerves. The decreased space in the canal often results in disc herniation.
It can also be caused by other issues like a spinal injury, the development of bone spurs, and the thickening of the ligaments.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a disorder affecting the lumbar spine most commonly. This disease happens when one vertebra slips over another vertebra. A misplaced vertebra presses on nerve roots or the nerves themselves.
This compression will ultimately cause symptoms of sciatica.
Sciatic nerve stretches can help ease some of the pain, but developing this disorder often occurs during childhood. You can receive a physical examination to learn if you have this disorder through a visit with a sciatica doctor.
Spondylolisthesis might also be caused by the following:
- Spinal degeneration
- Physical stress from certain activities (gymnastics or weightlifting)
- Trauma
In some cases, trauma can directly cause sciatica. Sciatic nerve pain treatment often involves physical therapy, medications, spinal injections, or alternative techniques to relieve symptoms.
Common Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain to Know About
There are a lot of common causes of sciatic nerve pain, but many feel symptoms as they age or after an accident that caused trauma. Something as simple as picking up items the wrong way can cause nerve pain of this kind.
If you worry about sciatic nerve pain, this guide will come in handy. Take what you’ve learned and speak to your doctor for additional guidance.
For more health articles, check out the other posts on our blog.
