Bottom Line:
As we discuss how to prevent sciatica pain with our sciatica patients, we often notice that many of them will make the comment that they don't know how they hurt their back when they start receiving treatment.
And that's a completely logical statement to make.
It's easy to understand how lifting a heavy object at work or sustaining a blow of some kind or simply moving in an awkward fashion could result in an injury to your back.
The pain that comes with that injury tells you that you could have pinched a nerve and that's why you're experiencing sciatica symptoms.
Completely understandable.
But, what we're about to tell you as we dive into how to prevent sciatica pain naturally may surprise you.
Research has shown that too much sitting may be one of the most common reasons you find yourself experiencing that sciatica pain.
That's also completely understandable.
As the leading sciatica pain specialist in Austin, we’ve seen the very real impact sitting too much has on our patients.
Here's why.
Why it Matters:
When you spend hours per day sitting down, the muscles that support your low back aren't regularly activated, so they can start to atrophy or weaken.
This can lead to imbalances in your back that then result in increased pressure and stress on your spine.
Without the support of the stabilizing muscles your spine relies on to keep your vertebrae, discs, and nerves in balance and aligned, you're more likely to injure your back.
To put that in perspective, we've seen patients who've injured their back from lifting lightweight items around the house.
Fortunately, the “how” in how to prevent sciatica pain is probably even easier than you think.
We like to say "motion is lotion" for your body.
When it comes to how to prevent sciatica pain, movement-based care is at the top of the list.
Stretching, for example, before and after any physical activity can help you both improve your flexibility and reduce your chances of experiencing a number of avoidable injuries.
Modern research also indicates that consistent exercise can stop or even reverse the effects of too much sitting.
Incorporating just 30 minutes of exercise each day can help strengthen the supporting muscles around your spinal column to help prevent future episodes of sciatica.
Other recent studies tell us that getting periodic spinal adjustments can have a part to play in both the correction and prevention of conditions that can cause sciatica pain.
In fact, the top research journal SPINE found that maintained chiropractic care can evaluate, detect, and potentially prevent future disc problems and low back pain episodes.
In other words, chiropractic can be a very effective “how” when you’re considering the actual steps of how to prevent sciatica pain and the recurrence of symptoms.
If you’re looking for a sciatica pain specialist in Austin, that takes a holistic approach, you’ve come to the right place.
When most people think of chiropractic care, they typically picture “getting their back and neck cracked.”
While it is true that chiropractic adjustments are a big part of the chiropractic treatment of sciatica, we actually use a variety of treatment methods to address sciatic nerve impingement and pain.
As chiropractors, we take a whole-body (holistic) approach to health and healing.
We combine techniques like adjustments, massage, exercise, nutritional advice, and weight loss management to create a wellness plan unique to each individual.
Next Steps:
We’ve seen our patients enjoy significant relief from sciatica pain and improved mobility with continued chiropractic care.
Maintaining your body with movement-based care is key in how to prevent sciatica pain.
We recommend including regular chiropractic care in addition to implementing some level of planning to help get and keep you moving daily.
Even if time is tight most days, taking a few minutes every hour to get up and walk around can go a long way.
Starting small is better than not starting at all!
And, as days become weeks, months, and years, the exercise you do now will pay huge dividends down the road to keep you happy, healthy, and pain-free.
If you have struggled with recurrent or chronic sciatica pain, you're not limited to invasive surgical procedures, injections, or prescription pain medications to find relief.
You deserve better.
Schedule an appointment with a holistically focused sciatica pain specialist in Austin like us.
We'll work together to pinpoint the root cause of your pain and come up with a plan that can help you get and stay out of pain for years to come.
You deserve nothing less!
Science Source:
Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Low Back Pain. SPINE. 2011.
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