April 15, 2023

What Causes Sciatica Flare Up?

If you are feeling shooting pain in your backside or buttocks use the technical term, you could be suffering from sciatica pain.

The sharp shocking or shooting pain happens when, according to the Mayo Clinic, “a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.”

What is Sciatica?

sciatica pain

Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

It’s important to make a distinction here too as the sciatic nerve is the part or piece of the body which is the thing that’s affected and sciatica is the condition that results when the nerve itself is affected.

Sciatic Nerve Diagram - what causes Sciatica Pain

What Causes Sciatica Flare Up?

Beyond knowing the physiological reasons for sciatic pain, it’s also important to look at how lifestyle and health factors can trigger it.

This is in fact one of the best ways to know how to prevent it as well.

Lifestyle factors like excessive stress and weight are causes of sciatic pain as stress activates fight or flight systems and less oxygen gets to parts of the body that need it. Nerves like the sciatic nerve will suffer from oxygen deprivation and start the process of pain.

What Causes Sciatica Flare Up? Stress
What Causes Sciatica Flare Up? Obesity, excess weight, fat, overweight

Excessive weight will put pressure on the spine and cause back problems. This includes pressure on the sciatic nerve, which can worsen as weight is gained. Be sure to watch not only your weight but that you participate in an active and not sedentary lifestyle.

One of the more interesting and easily preventable is back pocket sciatica. People will often put items such as a cellphone or a wallet in their back pockets and sit for long periods of time. When this happens and the piriformis muscle has pressure applied to it, this can cause sciatic pain.

What Causes Sciatica Flare Up? Sitting long with wallet, phone or other large/hard object in your back pocket
Piriformis Muscle under pressure can inflame the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica pain

What Are My Treatment Options?

At Easy Cosy Wellness, the management and treatment of sciatic pain can be helped by acupressure treatment.

The massage therapists at Easy Cozy Wellness in Abbotsford, BC, are experienced in providing relief from sciatica. Call Easy Cozy Wellness today to book your appointment.






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What Causes Sciatica Flare Up?