Does being overweight increase the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of pain that occurs in the lower back, buttocks and legs and can be caused by various factors, most notably an issue with a herniated disc in your spinal column. While being overweight in itself is not a cause of sciatica, the additional stress placed on the body from being overweight can make sciatica a lot worse in people who are overweight. In this blog post, we will explore the link between being overweight and the symptoms of sciatica. We will also share some solutions you can implement to help prevent sciatica pain if you are overweight.
What is sciatica?
We've covered sciatica in many of our other blog posts because it's one of the top reasons for our patients to see a pain management specialist at DFW Interventional Pain. Sciatica is a type of pain that occurs along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the legs. This pain can be sharp, burning, or shooting and may be accompanied by numbness or tingling sensations. Sciatica pain can be caused by several factors, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease.
How being overweight contributes to sciatica pain
Being overweight increases the pressure on your spine, which can lead to sciatica pain. Extra weight also puts strain on the discs in your lower back, causing them to bulge or herniate. This can lead to nerve compression and cause sciatica pain. Additionally, being overweight can also lead to poor posture and balance, which can exacerbate sciatica symptoms.
When you're overweight, you're at a higher risk for injury because your body has that excess stress discussed above. Oftentimes we'll see patients who haven't had a traumatic injury but start having pain after just a small tweak or wrong move of their body. Or, we'll see patients who have been suffering for years with sciatica but didn't really know it until the pain got bad enough to see a pain management doctor.
Solutions to prevent sciatica pain from being overweight
The best solution to prevent sciatica pain from being overweight is to lose weight. Losing weight can reduce the pressure on your spine and reduce the strain on your lower back discs. It can also help improve your posture and balance. Some other solutions you can implement include:
Maintaining a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help reduce inflammation and support a healthy weight. Avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks can also help reduce your risk of developing sciatica pain.
Implementing an exercise regimen: Exercise can help strengthen the muscles in your back and core, improving your posture and reducing the strain on your lower back discs.
Seeing a pain management specialist: A pain management specialist like Dr. Edrick Lopez can help manage your sciatica pain while you work on losing weight and improving your overall health.
Will losing weight help sciatica pain?
In short, the answer is yes. Losing weight reduces the pressure placed on your body, specifically your lower back discs. The best way to lose weight if you’re experiencing sciatica pain is to maintain a healthy diet and avoid sugars, overprocessed foods and excess calories. This is because if you’re exercising to lose weight, there’s an increase in potentially injuring yourself or having an uncomfortable experience while exercise due to existing sciatic pain.
A good way to improve your sciatica symptoms and get on track for weight loss is to speak to a pain management doctor like Dr. Edrick Lopez.
When to see a pain management specialist for help with sciatica pain
If you're experiencing persistent sciatica symptoms despite trying self-care measures or your pain is severe and debilitating, it's time to consult a pain management specialist. You should also consider scheduling an appointment if the pain is progressively worsening, or if you experience sudden, extreme weakness in your lower back or leg, or noticeable loss of bladder or bowel control. As a general rule of thumb, if you've been experiencing pain that's been causing a hindrance to the normal function of your life for two weeks or more, consider contacting our office at DFW Interventional Pain Institute.
Remember, early intervention can often result in better outcomes, so it's essential not to delay seeking professional help when dealing with persistent or severe sciatica symptoms.
How Dr. Edrick Lopez can help with sciatica pain management
Dr. Edrick Lopez is a pain management specialist who specializes in treating sciatica pain. He can create a customized treatment plan that includes methods for managing your pain and improving your overall health. Treatment methods may include:
Physical therapy
In some cases, physical therapy and stretching can help add additional mobility to your spine to help relieve pain caused by sciatica. In any case, having a more active body will prevent future types of pain and is recommended in most cases, especially under the supervision of a doctor.
Medication management
Medication management from a pain management specialist like Dr. Lopez can help provide quick, acute relief for patients that are suffering from severe pain. Dr. Lopez will work with you to set up an accurate dosing schedule and provide guidance on which medications are useful and safe for the patient to use. If a prescription is required, Dr. Lopez will provide that for the patient and set up a treatment schedule to monitor progress.
Interventional procedures
These are pain management methods like epidural steroid injections or even surgery to remove a herniated disc. While these are sometimes considered a last resort, especially surgery, many patients may see an incredibly high benefit, especially with epidural steroid injections which can be performed as an outpatient procedure at our office at DFW Interventional Pain Institute.
In conclusion, being overweight can contribute to sciatica pain. However, there are several solutions that you can implement to prevent or manage sciatica symptoms if you are overweight. Losing weight, maintaining a healthy diet, implementing an exercise regimen and seeing a pain management specialist like Dr. Edrick Lopez can all help reduce the pressure on your spine and improve your overall health. By taking these steps, you can prevent sciatica pain from affecting your daily life and enjoy a pain-free, active lifestyle.
We'd love to have you for an appointment if you feel your sciatica is interfering with you living your best life. Book an appointment today and get back on track to living your life to the fullest!
