Lesser Known Causes Of Sciatic Pain

By Brandon Sharp

Every day, millions of people experience severe sciatic pain. Many people know that their risk of developing sciatica increases with age, but there are many, many other risk factors that can lead to this type of back pain.

1. Piriformis syndrome - This syndrome involves the piriformis muscle, a swath of muscle that connects the lower back with thigh muscles.

People who suffer with piriformis syndrome may experience moderate to severe tightening of the piriformis muscle. When this muscle tightens, the sciatic nerve can become compressed. This syndrome can also cause random spasms of the piriformis muscle which will then lead to sudden attacks of sciatic pain.

Individuals who have suffered from sports injuries and car accidents are at risk for piriformis syndrome, as well as people who sit for long periods of time throughout the day.

Accidental falls are a common cause of this syndrome in seniors. Those who have limited mobility are at an increased risk of falls, which in turns increases the risk of developing piriformis syndrome and sciatic pain. Falls are the number one reason that special care should be given to seniors with balance and walking issues. Sudden falls can lead to life-threatening fractures as well as nerve compression.

2. Tumors in the spinal cord - Tumors or malignant tissue growth can occur from within the spinal column. When tumors reach a particular density and mass, the physical weight of the tumor can press down on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica. Additional pressure from tumor is also exerted on the spinal cord itself.

Physical trauma: Car accidents or sports injuries can cause damage to the spinal cord and the sensitive spinal column. Damaged nerve roots and nerve bundles in the lumbar and sacral areas can result in intense sciatic pain.

4. Muscle strain - Lifting heavy objects incorrectly and frequent bending can cause muscle strain in the back region, which in turn can pinch the sciatic nerve.

5. Damaged disc - A crushed or broken vertebra can cause different symptoms, including sciatic pain.

6. Weakened back muscles - In rare cases, inborn defects can cause poor muscle growth or weak muscles. In such cases, the back is unable to support itself sufficiently. This leads to myriad back problems.

7. Emotional stress: Constant emotional stress can manifest into physical stress over a period of time. Those who experience constant daily stress usually experience muscle pain (due to constant tightness in the muscles) and tight muscles can eventually cause joint pain and nerve depressed nerves which can lead to nerve pain.

8. Sacroiliac joint problems: Just below the lumbar area of the spine is where the sacroiliac joint is located. When the nerve called the L5 becomes irritated or compress it is highly possible that the sciatic nerve will be affected.

9. Scar tissue - Scar tissue can form near the sciatic nerve after surgery. If the scar tissue grows and exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve, sciatica can also result.

10. Infections may occur in the lumbar or sacral area of the back irritating many nerves; including the sciatic nerve. This can be life-threatening so emergency care should be given immediately.

11. Discitis - Inflammation and infection of one or more vertebral discs.

12. Cancer: It is possible for cancer to affect another organ within the body, and then travel to the spine. When cancer appears on the spinal column cancerous tumors may manifest leading to compression of the spinal cord and sciatic nerve compression.

About the Author:

Millions of people suffer with debilitating sciatic pain every day, but before you can takes steps to ease your pain you need to now the different causes of debilitating sciatic pain and more importantly, how to end sciatica nerve pain. Unique version for reprint here: Lesser Known Causes Of Sciatic Pain.