Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Sciatica Pain

Sciatica is one of the most common types of back pain that occur only on one side of the body. It can range from a stabbing feeling to a burning or a tingling sensation, or even numbness on the back and down one leg.

If you’ve been struggling with sciatica pain, the experienced team at Alliance Spine Associates, LLC., in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, can help. From treatments to help alleviate current sciatica pain to advice on how to change your lifestyle, they are here to help.

Causes of sciatica pain

Sciatica pain is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve on one side or the other of the spine. This nerve branches off from the spinal column and runs down each leg. If the nerve is pinched, it can cause numbness, tingling, or pain that starts in the back and runs down the leg on the affected side.

The most common causes of sciatica pain are:

• A slipped or ruptured disc
• A bone spur on a spinal bone
• Narrowing of the canal through which all nerves n the spine run
• Pregnancy
• Compression of the spine due to aging
• Trauma to the spine

Lifestyle changes to reduce sciatica pain

Many sciatica pain incidents will resolve without the need for intervention with a few days rest. For more persistent pain, you can work to change things about your lifestyle that could be making the problem worse. Some factors that can contribute to reducing sciatica pain include:

• Controlling blood sugar if you have diabetes 
• Losing weight if you are overweight
• Exercising daily if you don't already
• Ditching your high heels if you wear them
• Trying a new mattress (harder or softer) to see if it helps
• Quitting smoking if you smoke
• Using proper lifting techniques and back support if you lift heavy things
• Getting a new chair to help your posture if you have a desk job

Treatment for sciatica pain

If you still have sciatica pain despite a period of rest and making lifestyle changes, our doctors can help. We’ll make sure there is no other cause for your back and leg pain, and may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and pressure around the sciatic nerve. 

For chronic sciatica pain, we’ll help you identify what if any lifestyle changes you can make. We also use minimally invasive steroid injections to help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation at the site of pressure on the sciatic nerve.

You don’t have to suffer with sciatica pain. There are plenty of options to help you live an active, pain-free life. Contact our office to book a consultation today.