Back pain can originate from a variety of sources, but when you have sciatica, it’s an entirely different kind of pain. It’s usually a burning, shooting pain that radiates down your back and into one of your legs. It can be debilitating and can feel like an electric shock every time you move.

The good news is that most cases of sciatica will go away on their own, even if it is really painful at the moment. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Hickory provides more information about the condition below.

How Does Sciatica Begin?

Sciatica comes from a compression along your sciatic nerve. The compression causes radiating pain through your back and down into your leg. It can also cause numbness if the nerve is compressed enough.

This compression can come from a herniated or slipped disk or a bone spur that presses on the nerve. A tumor can also be the cause as well, though that is a rarer occurrence. It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint a cause, but certain lifestyle factors and your overall health may also contribute to your risk level.

Lifestyle Factors

• Older age
• Obesity
• Prolonged sitting
• Diabetes

Is Sciatica Avoidable?

Having a compressed nerve is something that can be hard to completely prevent as it can come from many factors. However, you can support your body every day by exercising often, using proper posture, avoiding sitting for long periods of time and doing your best to maintain a healthy weight.

Thankfully, if you do get sciatica, the pain is only temporary and should resolve within a week or two on its own. In rarer, more serious cases, you may need to seek medical attention to help control your pain and symptoms.

When Medical Attention Is Necessary for Sciatica

• You have sudden and severe pain in your low back
• The pain follows a violent injury, like a car accident
• You can no longer control your bladder or bowels

If you are struggling with symptoms of sciatica or they have persisted for a week or longer, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Hickory!