Sciatica Causes
Sciatica is a common condition that is characterized by inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which causes sensations of burning, pain, numbness, or tingling from the lower back into the buttocks and sometimes radiates down the legs. The causes of sciatica are varied, and will be explored in some depth in this article.
Perhaps the most common cause of sciatica is poor posture over a long period of time. Many people who have to sit at a computer all day long are vulnerable to patterns such as sciatica because the integrity of their lower spine is compromised from hours each day spent somewhat slumped or hunched. This puts excessive strain on the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, which in turn can cause compression of the sciatic nerve root.
On the flip side, some people develop sciatic pain from being overly active, or from participating excessively in an activity that aggravates the lower back and puts strain on the hips. Sports that require lateral movement such as tennis and racquetball can cause sciatica, along with high impact activities such as jogging or trail running. Many athletes find that they have to partake in a regular stretching routine in order to prevent sciatic pain from occurring on a regular basis.
Perhaps the most common anatomical cause of sciatica is a herniated or bulging disc. This pattern tends to be more severe and resistant to treatment. In extreme cases, surgery is necessary, although more holistic measures can still be quite useful.
While still not conclusive, there is some evidence that a poor diet can also be a contributing factor in sciatica. This would entail regularly eating foods that provoke an inflammatory response such as sugars, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, coffee, and saturated fats. An overly acidic diet is generally believed to either cause or perpetuate chronic pain.
From a more holistic perspective, sciatica is often said to be caused by suppressed or repressed emotions. In particular, the internalization of anger can often be a culprit in sciatic pain. In acupuncture theory, the sciatic nerve runs along the Gall Bladder meridian, which is typically associated with the emotion anger. People who don’t have a healthy outlet for stress and frustration will often find that this stagnation of energy becomes embodied along the lateral sides of the lower extremities.
From a more general perspective, stress is certainly a major contributor to sciatica. Stress causes muscle tension and spasm, which in turn can create less circulation in and around the spine, thus causing the sciatic nerve root to become compressed. Stress also weakens adrenal function, which according to acupuncture is related to weak kidney energy. The kidneys maintain the structural integrity of the lower back, so if one’s stress level is high, they will often find that the musculature of the lumbar region begins to weaken, spasm, or atrophy. This pattern is particularly noticeable in men.
While there are potentially many other sciatica causes, there are some of the most prominent factors that deserve attention. In order to treat sciatica effectively, it’s important to understand the origin and cause of the pain. If you can narrow it down to 1 or 2 of these factors, then the treatment plan will become much more specific and clear.
Usually, it’s a combination of issues that lead to chronic pain patterns. Accordingly, it’s often helpful to address pain through a multitude of angles: Emotions, diet, holistic modalities, and exercises. This is often the most effective way to treat sciatic pain.
