8 Factors That Can Increase Your Risk of Developing Sciatica

Sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain that radiates to the buttocks, leg, and feet. A problem with the sciatic nerve causes sciatica. This is a big nerve that runs from the lower back to your foot. Sciatica can develop because of injury or pressure on the sciatic nerve. But there are several risk factors that can increase your likelihood of developing sciatica.

Below are 8 things that can make you more prone to sciatica pain.

1. History of back injuries

A history of back injuries and spine conditions puts you at greater risk for sciatica. Untreated back conditions and injuries make soft and hard tissues of the back more prone to disc degeneration, muscle weakness, and spine compression. These conditions are major risk factors for sciatica pain. If you have any back injuries, it is important to get them treated to prevent painful complications.

2. Aging

Aging is one of the biggest risk factors for sciatica. When you become older, your body loses its ability to heal itself. For this reason, it takes longer to completely recover after an injury. Spine degenerative conditions can also increase the probability of developing sciatica. To prevent age-related sciatica, it is important to strengthen your back muscles and bones.

3. Obesity

Obesity makes you more susceptible to sciatica, back pain, and other musculoskeletal problems. When you have excess weight, this puts extra pressure on your spine. Over time, the spine compresses and may cause pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. Another weight-related factor that increases your sciatica risk is inflammation. Fatty tissue creates inflammatory markers that can affect the whole body, including the sciatic nerve.

4. Weak back muscles

Your spine carries all your body weight and helps you keep an upright position. The pressure on the spine can cause a variety of back issues over time. Muscles perform an important role in spine support. If you have weak back muscles, this puts you at risk of a variety of back conditions including sciatica. Strengthening back muscles can help you decrease the risk of sciatica significantly.

5. Sleep problems

A poor quality night’s sleep can increase your risk of sciatica significantly. When you don’t get enough sleep, the levels of inflammation in your body increase. The inflammation can affect any part of your body, including the sciatic nerve. Besides, sleep deprivation makes you more likely to make unhealthy food choices that can result in being overweight. This is another major risk factor for sciatica.

6. Smoking

Smokers have a higher risk of developing different back problems, including sciatica. Along with smoke, you inhale chemicals that can cause overall body inflammation and cause poor blood flow to all body parts. This decreases your body’s ability to function properly and recover from injuries, thereby increasing your risk of sciatica. Quitting smoking can help you prevent sciatica or enhance the effect of sciatica treatment.

7. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects millions of people around the world. This condition develops when the protective cartilage that covers the ends of your bones wears down. While this condition may affect any joint in your body, it commonly affects hands, knees, hips, and spine joints. Osteoarthritis can damage your spine and put nerves at risk of injury.

8. Poor posture

Poor posture is a major risk factor for sciatic nerve pain. The way you walk or sit can affect the path of your sciatic nerve from the lower back to your feet. Poor posture can cause excessive stress and misalignment in the lower back, thereby irritating and compressing the sciatic nerve roots.