Masters of Health Magazine December 2018 | Page 77

Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain

The biggest reasons for sciatic nerve pain development are herniated spinal discs and inflammation.

For the majority of people, sciatic nerve pain is caused by a herniated disc in the back, which means a disc in the spine develops a slight crack or tear. A herniated disc sticks out into the spinal canal, which means it alters chemical messages that are sent via the nerves to the limbs. If a spinal disc protrudes out in a certain area, it can “pinch” the sciatic nerve, which is one of the main channels of communication between the spine and legs. The sciatic nerve connects smaller branches of nerves that run through the spinal canal, from the pelvis down the legs and into the ankles and feet. (9) Herniation causes symptoms by putting pressure on the spine.

Not everyone who has a herniated disc (also called a “slipped disc” or a “ruptured disc”) develops sciatica. Those who have been under a lot of wear and tear are more susceptible to having spinal problems of all kinds that can trigger painful symptoms in various regions of the body.

Spinal discs are located between the vertebrae in the spine and are referred to as the body’s natural shock absorbers. They need to remain elastic in order to absorb vibrations and pressure put on the spine from the various movements, positions and situations we put our bodies into. When spinal discs lose their elasticity and stiffen up, it’s much more likely that disc tissue can stick out and irritate regions of the lumbar spine (lower back).

In most adults, herniated or slipped discs are the result of years of aging and putting stress on the body, from things like exercise, poor posture, high levels of inflammation and sometimes injuries. As we age, naturally the spinal discs lose their elasticity as spinal fluid decreases, causing the likelihood of experiencing cracks or tears to increase.

While for many years pinching in the spinal nerves was thought to be the sole reason for sciatica, researchers now know that inflammation worsens the condition and might even be the real cause in some cases. Studies have found that sciatic nerve pain symptoms can occur in the absence of direct nerve root compression, possibly as a result of release of proinflammatory factors. This still causes the same serious pain because it triggers chronic, repetitive firing of the inflamed nerve root. (10)

For people who don’t take very good care of themselves in general — by eating a poor diet, lacking sleep and dealing with lots of stress, for example — the spinal discs age at a quicker speed. And in someone who does have a herniated disc, inflammation only makes the problem worse and usually more painful too.

Sciatic Nerve Pain Takeaways

Back pain is something many people deal with at one point or another in their lives, and that often comes in the form of sciatic nerve pain. The best thing you can do is stretch and move your back muscles to heal and prevent this painful condition.

Nonsurgical treatments — like chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage therapy and strengthening/stretching the back — can work just as well as surgeries and medications for treating leg and lower back sciatic nerve pain. I recommend these as the first line of defense — for example, seeing a chiropractor who can adjust the spine and help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Diet, of course, plays a role in helping reduce inflammation caused by sciatica, which is one of my six natural remedies for sciatic nerve pain. In addition, remember to get up and move and avoid sitting/standing in one place for long periods of time, practice yoga and stretching, use ice and heat therapy, and don’t be afraid to visit a chiropractor or try acupuncture.

If you do these six things, you can relieve your back pain and prevent debilitating sciatica symptoms from becoming a chronic, stressful problem. So get moving, and get your spine back in line!