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Risk Factors for Sciatica

Sciatica, which is sciatic nerve pain, is a common ailment. Your body has a sciatic nerve that runs down from the lower back, hips, and buttocks, to your foot. When the spine is injured or misaligned, the inflammation causes pressure on the sciatic nerve, resulting in debilitating pain in your lower back, legs, and buttocks. It is important to seek treatment for this condition. At Unity Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Beaverton, OR, our chiropractors provide a variety of natural treatment methods for sciatica. Here are some risk factors that make you more likely to develop the condition.

Obesity 

Being overweight triggers musculoskeletal and back pain problems like sciatica. Excess weight puts extra pressure on your spine, which can compress the sciatic nerve.

Poor Back Posture

How you sit, stand, sleep, and walk affect the path of your sciatic nerve. When the spine is misaligned, the back muscles will work harder to bring balance, resulting in nerve irritation or fatigue. Our chiropractor can help correct your posture.

Smoking

If you are a smoker, you are more likely to suffer from sciatica. The nicotine in the cigarettes usually impairs your blood circulation. If there is less blood flow, and you get a nerve injury, the inflammation may stay longer.

Diabetes 

Just like smoking, high blood sugar impairs your blood flow, which affects the healing process. Worse still, an increase in blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic neuropathy nerve damage.

Age 

Age comes with several problems, mainly because the body loses flexibility. One common problem is back pain. Back pain, sometimes related to sciatica, is associated with aging. Chiropractic care can help you overcome this condition.

Work-Related Injuries

Repetitive motions or being too sedentary increases your risk for sciatica. For example, driving for long hours, walking or standing for long hours, and sitting for extended hours can lead to sciatica.

Visit Our Chiropractor in Beaverton, OR for Sciatica Relief

Many different factors can cause sciatica. Unfortunately, it may be hard to control all of them. With a few lifestyle changes and chiropractic treatment, we can help you overcome sciatica. At Unity Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Beaverton, OR, our chiropractor is dedicated to helping you live a pain-free life. Call us today to schedule an appointment.