What causes the sciatic nerve to flare up? The most common reason stated by Sciatica Treatments Orlando for sciatic pain is damage to the sciatic nerve, which can cause one or more sides of the body to experience pain. Damage to the sciatic nerve can occur anywhere from the lower back to the foot. A herniated or bulging disc can put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, most of the damage can be repaired by chiropractic care.
Identifying the trigger of your sciatic nerve is essential to managing the pain. Self-care remedies are often recommended for sciatic nerve pain, such as over-the-counter painkillers. Rest is an important option when a flare-up occurs, but taking too much time off is counterproductive. Cold packs are helpful in reducing swelling and hot packs encourage circulation to the affected area. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe medication.
Your healthcare provider may recommend an exercise program for you to perform. These exercises should include both aerobic and stretching activities. If you are unable to get any relief through self-care exercises, consider seeing a physical therapist for a more customized exercise program. Physical therapists are highly trained and can prescribe strengthening exercises to address the symptoms. They can also recommend exercises for reducing the pain and preventing further damage to the sciatic nerve.
Another cause of sciatic nerve pain is sitting for prolonged periods of time. Sitting for long periods of time puts extra pressure on the lower back and spinal discs. If you have a desk job, it is especially important to take a walk around the office or stand for as long as possible. Changing your sitting position is one way to prevent or alleviate sciatica. A good way to achieve this is to avoid bending at the waist while maintaining a neutral posture while sitting. Avoid bending your legs while sitting, or sliding to the front of a chair.
Keeping your spine and core muscles strong is crucial to avoiding sciatica. When you are working at a computer, lifting weights or standing for long periods of time can put stress on the vertebrae compressing the sciatic nerve. Proper lifting techniques will prevent a sciatica flare-up from developing. If your work or physical activities place pressure on your back, you should avoid these activities to keep your back healthy.
Poor posture is one of the most common causes of sciatica. While sitting, be sure to keep your back upright, using your legs to bend, rather than twisting or bending the upper body. If you must lift or move objects, make sure to use good mechanics. Always use your legs and turn the object with your body, not your arms. In addition, do not lift heavy objects without using your arms or shoulders, and try to avoid bending forward or backwards.
Chronic stress is a significant contributor to many ailments, including sciatica. The inflammation that occurs around the sciatic nerve is aggravated by chronic stress. Stress interferes with the flow of oxygen to the body, which means cells don’t receive the oxygen they need to heal. As a result, sciatica often leads to debilitating pain in the lower back. So, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a sciatic nerve flare-up.
