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Move It, Move It. Sciatica & What You Need To Know

Move It, Move It. Sciatica & What You Need To Know

These days more people are staying home as well as working from home. From binge watching TV to sitting at a desk, people are staying stationary. Have you ever noticed that when you stand up after a long time of sitting in one place you have pain that radiates from your lower back to your buttock and sometimes down the back of your leg? If this is a recurring problem, you may have sciatica.

What is sciatica?

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, sciatica is pain in your lower back or hip that radiates to the buttocks, the back of your thigh and into your leg. It can feel like a jolt or electrical shock that radiates down the leg, or bad leg cramp that won’t go away. Usually, only one leg at a time is affected. It commonly occurs due to aging of the disks in your spine that cushion the vertebrae in your lower back.

Am I at risk for sciatica?

There are many factors that may lead to sciatica including general wear and tear that comes with aging. People with certain disorders are more at risk of having sciatica.

  • Have a herniated disk, a bone spur or narrowing of the spine
  • Have an injury/previous injury to the spine
  • Are overweight
  • Are pregnant
  • Are between the ages of 30 and 50 years old
  • Have diabetes
  • Smoke
  • Have improper posture
  • Have weak core muscles
  • Have jobs that require them to sit for long periods of time
How is sciatica treated?

According to the Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 80% to 90% of patients with sciatica get better over time without surgery, typically within several weeks. At North Oaks Orthopedic Specialty Center, spine specialists Dr. Matthew Lafleur & Physician Assistant Marc Pitre, work together to provide sciatica patients with the best plan of treatment. One of the best treatments for sciatica pain is continuing to be active. Sitting or standing in a stationary position for long periods of time can cause discomfort and inflammation to the roots of the sciatic nerve. If you have to sit for longer periods of times, set a timer to take shorts walks throughout the day. Physicians or providers will sometimes prescribe other forms of non-surgical treatments to help ease the pain.

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Applying gentle heat or cold to the muscles that are in pain
  • Cortisone injections
  • Physical therapy
  • Be active


If you feel sciatica pain may be affecting your life, schedule an appointment with one of our spine specialists at North Oaks Orthopedic Specialty Center here