The Many Causes of Sciatica Pain

Not many people realize this, but sciatica isn’t a diagnosis in itself. Sciatica is actually just a symptom of something else. There are quite a few things that can contribute to sciatica pain, but no matter which one you’re suffering from, the pain is still just as intense and just as real. Here are a few of the common causes of sciatica: Herniated Disc - This is one of the most common causes of sciatica. When one of your discs in your spine herniates and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, you know you’re in for trouble. Obesity - It should be no surprise that having some extra weight on your frame is not only going to contribute to added pressure on your back, but it is also going to throw off the alignment of your spine, which can lead to other problems like herniated discs. Physical Exertion - Sometimes when an extreme amount of effort is exerted by the muscles in the back, you can pull a muscle in your back. This of course will disrupt the muscle balances in your body and can cause misalignments that may result in sciatica. Poor Posture - It should come as no surprise that holding your spine in an unnatural position can cause problems with your back. Pelvic Fractures - Due to the fact that your sciatic nerve runs through the pelvis, when there is any sort of fracture in or near the pelvic bone, there can be consequences that affect the sciatic nerve. Ankylosing Spondylitis - This is a type of arthritis that specifically affects the spine. It can result in inflammation of the joints in the spine, similar to rheumatoid arthritis and it can be very painful. Spinal Stenosis - This conditions causes the space in the spine where the spinal cord runs to gradually become narrower until it begins to become quite painful. Spondylolisthesis - This is a condition where a vertebra in the spine overhangs one below it. This kind of misalignment put added pressure and stress on the nerves of the spine, such as the sciatic nerve. Spinal Tumors - Any sort of tumor, wether benign or malignant can begin to grow in the spine and place pressure on the nerves in the spine. Pregnancy - As a woman’s body changes during pregnancy, the added weight of the embryo will cause her to hold herself differently. This change in posture can cause the alignment of the spine to change, which can cause sciatica. Clauda Equina Syndrome - This syndrome results in a compression of the nerves in the base of the spine. This can impair function, cause paralysis, and even result in sciatica pain. Sciatica is a painful condition that can be caused by many different things. However, most of these causes of sciatica are related to poor posture and muscular imbalances that cause misalignments in the spine.