Here are some of the reasons why your sciatica may be getting worse.

Injury and reinjury

If an injury was responsible for your sciatica, and if your symptoms get better and then worse, you may have reaggravated the injury that originally caused your sciatica.

Sudden injuries and repetitive overuse injuries can lead to sciatic symptoms. Herniated discs are the most common cause of sciatica.

Age and underlying health conditions

In general, younger people heal more quickly than older people. But there are many underlying health conditions that can also slow your body’s ability to heal. Some conditions include:

  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • heart disease
  • alcoholism
  • malnutrition
  • smoking

Wear and tear

Wear and tear on your spine can lead to a condition called spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spaces within the spine. This narrowing can compress your nerve and lead to sciatica.

Infections

An epidural abscess is a collection of pus that develops between the bones of your spine and membrane of the spinal cord. It may lead to swelling that puts pressure on your nerves and leads to sciatica.

Lifestyle issues

Sciatica often responds to gentle exercise. It’s thought that mobilizing the sciatic nerve may help improve symptoms by decreasing nerve sensitivity. Gentle stretching and exercising may be recommended as a part of treatment.

Alternatively, a sedentary lifestyle and spending a lot of time sitting can potentially aggravate symptoms of sciatica.

Spinal mass or tumor

In very rare cases, a cancerous mass can put pressure on your sciatic nerve. One very rare type of tumor that can develop is called a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Recurrent sciatica?? Know to prevent..

Making lifestyle changes like the following may help you prevent recurring sciatica symptoms:

  • Eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly.
  • Minimize sitting, and sit with good posture.
  • Avoid bending your back when lifting heavy objects.
  • Choose exercises that are unlikely to cause lower back injuries.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Minimize your chances of falling by wearing sturdy shoes and keeping the floors of your house free from clutter.
  • Evaluate your workplace with a focus on ergonomics to prevent your sciatica from returning.
  • If you work in an office, then make sure that your seat offers you good lower back support. Also make sure your knees and hips are level when you’re seated.
  • If you lift heavy loads, then focus on proper body mechanics. This includes bending at your knees, holding the load close to your body and never twisting as you lift.

The bottom line

Most of the time, sciatic pain goes away within a couple months. It’s best to see a medical professional at the first sign of symptoms to develop a treatment plan.

Some people have pain that may last longer than average. To prevent recurrent sciatica, try not to bend your back while lifting. It’s also a good idea to consider exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

If you have severe pain, your pain is getting progressively worse, or if you notice anything else concerning, it’s a good idea to speak with a health professional or good Physiotherapist.

FAQs about Sleeping with Sciatica

Why is sciatica pain worse at night?

When you lay down, muscle tension is creating a tug-of-war on your hip joints: your hip flexors in front and your piriformis in back. Your sciatic nerve runs alongside and underneath these muscles, and can become impinged by muscle tension and pelvis misalignment.

What is the best position to sleep in with sciatica?

There are ways to get comfortable in a variety of sleeping positions with sciatica, with the right angle and pillows! If you’re a side sleeper with sciatica, adding a pillow lengthwise between your knees and ankles in this position will help to put your hips in a more neutral position. If you’re a back sleeper with sciatica, adding a pillow or two under your knees can help by relaxing the position of your hip flexors.

How does the piriformis affect sciatica?

The sciatic nerve runs through or under the piriformis muscle. When this muscle is tight, it can impinge upon the sciatic nerve. Tension in the piriformis can be caused or worsened by tension in the iliopsoas muscle, your primary hip flexors.

What helps you manage your sciatica pain?

Tell us about your pain journey in the comments! What topics related to sciatica would you like to see us research?

Email us at contact@physioentrust.com for more help or visit our website: www.physioentrust.com