Sciatica Doctor Points out 5 Bad Habits That Can Worsen Sciatica Pain

Poor Posture

Bad posture is one of the leading causes of back pain around the world. Unfortunately, daily tasks such as working at the computer, bending the neck to look at the phone, carrying big grocery bags around, and moving heavy objects around without proper equipment can take a toll on our backs and lead to pain.

If you don’t want sciatic pain to worsen, keep an eye on your posture and make sure your spine is always straight. While this may be difficult to do at first, especially if you have been used to a slouchy posture, correcting your posture will help remove pressure from the sciatic nerve, helping you get rid of the distressing pain.

Not Getting a Good Night’s Rest

While sleep is how the body repairs itself, inadequate sleep may do more harm than good. While you may not want to believe your favorite sleeping position prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, it is actually true. Sleeping on your stomach can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and even lead to nerve damage in time. If you already suffer from sciatic pain, this sleeping position can increase discomfort and prevent the nerve from healing, leading to more pain.

If you want to get rid of sciatic pain, you need to give your body time to recover. To do so, you need to take care of how you sleep. Using a soft mattress can be detrimental to your back’s health, as it does not offer the necessary support. Invest in a firm mattress and pillow, which provide good support and allow your back to rest during the night as well.

Are you dealing with agitated sleep? Consider giving up on drinking coffee or black tea in the evening, as well as any caffeinated drinks, as they can cause you to twitch and turn all night, irritating the sciatic nerve.

Working Out the Wrong Way

Keeping yourself active is a good thing, especially when dealing with sciatica. However, keep in mind that repeated physical effort can lead to wear and tear damage, especially to the lower back. When you work out, always use proper equipment and avoid over-exhausting yourself.

If you like to run or jog, keep in mind that these activities can put a strain on your lower back, especially if you don’t keep a good posture. Running causes the piriformis muscle to contract, and when that happens, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, irritating it and causing pain. Keep your back straight, always wear comfortable running shoes, and remember to take a break from time to time.

People that like lifting weights should also be aware of how they can protect their lower back from pain. When you lift, do so in a squats motion, bending at the knees and lifting with the legs rather than the back. This should reduce some of the pressure and prevent conditions such as a herniated disk.

Sitting at Your Desk All-day

As previously discussed, many of today’s jobs are putting our health at risk, including driving, lifting heavy objects, and, surprisingly, sitting at a desk for prolonged hours every day. That’s because sitting can put pressure on the spine and compress the sciatic nerve.

If you work in an office, remember to stand up and move around every once in a while to stretch your body and prevent pain. This applies to long evenings on the couch as well. No matter how good the show is, take a break after each episode and move around the house for a few minutes.

Sticking to Painkillers Only

Sciatica pain presents itself differently in each person. For some people, the symptoms go away in a couple of days by taking pain relievers, but others, however, are not as lucky and need different treatment methods, such as physical therapy or minimally invasive procedures.

If you find that your pain does not go away in a few days, it is advised you book an appointment with a doctor at a pain clinic. They will be able to tell the cause of your condition and prescribe appropriate treatment for pain management. Over-the-counter medicine works for mild symptoms, so don’t resort to them only when trying to deal with sciatic pain.

Sciatic pain is never pleasant, so if you are looking for a way to keep the pain at bay, don’t hesitate to contact our pain clinic. Come and visit us at our West Orange, NJ Pain Center near the Essex Country Club where the best sciatica doctors are ready to help. You can also give us a call at (855) 383-7054 or book an appointment online today!