Am I At Risk Of Getting Sciatica?

Do you have an injury (or previous injury) to your lower back or spine?

Are you overweight or obese?

Do you have a job that requires you to bend your back, carry heavy loads, or drive a motor vehicle for an extended period of time?

Do you have a sedentary lifestyle (sit for a long time and do not exercise)?

Do you have weak back and abdominal muscles?

Do you have an improper posture while exercising (lifting weights or other strength training exercises)?

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have osteoarthritis?

Do you smoke?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting sciatica. Sciatica is a condition that refers to pain caused by irritation, inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve located in the lower back. The pain begins in the lower back and radiates through the sciatic nerve (from your lower back through the buttocks and down each leg). It usually affects only one side of the body. Sciatica is commonly the result of an injury to the lower back or spine, but the natural aging process also leads to changes in the bones, discs and ligaments of the spine, which contributes to sciatica.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting sciatica. If you are involved in active physical activities that require lifting heavy loads, you have an increased risk of back problems. When lifting, keep the load close to your body to reduce pressure on your back. Also, avoid twisting your back or leaning to the side while lifting something heavy. Try to achieve or maintain a healthy weight because the extra pounds you carry around your waist line will create an additional load on your spine and contribute to back pain. Also, prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity can increase the risk of sciatica.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting sciatica. Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and lower back should be a part of your exercise routine. Strong muscles will support the spine in the right way and reduce your risk of sciatica. Even if you are in good shape and exercise regularly, you may be prone to sciatica if you have poor posture during exercise. Diabetes is a condition that over time leads to nerve damage and an increased risk of sciatica. Also, people with osteoarthritis usually have damage to the spine that can potentially lead to the sciatic nerve injury.