The long-sitting job with your back slouched and eyes and mind engrossed in the computer can create havoc on your spine.1 to 10% of the population most commonly in people age 25 to 45 years are reported to have Sciatica pain. So, is the sitting disease so bad? How does it trigger Sciatica? What can be done about it? Let's understand all this.
Spine and Sciatica When we sit, the weight of our entire upper body rests on the lower back area, increasing the compression in and on our discs and spinal column. The compression further increases the pressure against the nerve roots that make up our sciatic nerve, thus pinching it further, aggravating your Sciatica symptoms. Whether it be a bulge in the disc that is squeezed further or the compression around the joints that are irritated causing further irritation, the result is the same, more pain originating from the spinal column in the lower back that travels behind the hip joint, down the buttock and down the back of the leg to the foot.
Causes of Sciatica Not necessarily a desk job is giving you sciatica nerve pain, anything that involves long sitting like being a couch potato or travelling seated for long hours are the major causes, others can be an injury to the sciatic nerve, pelvic fractures, trauma to the buttocks, old age, etc.
Sitting Tips to Ease Sciatica
- Quit sitting in one position for long and do not sit without standing up and moving every 20-30 minutes. Keep shifting your posture and keep your back as straight as possible.
- Use back support. Place a small pillow or towel roll and support your lower back while sitting. It will help minimize disc moving backwards causing more pain.
- Avoid sitting on a soft sofa as it will only make you slouch more which will put extra pressure on your discs and lower back.
- Stay hydrated. Water will keep your discs lubricated, absorbing your weight properly which will help avoid compressing of low back joints and compromising nerve roots.