3 Ways People Unintentionally Prolong Their Sciatica

A lot of people complain that their case of sciatica is more complicated that most. They say they've tried "everything" but nothing gets rid of it. Is this true? Is it really possible that most people's sciatica is an exception to the rule that lingers on and on despite all the usual suggestions.

Here are 3 ways that you are secretly sabotaging your recovery and making sure that your sciatica sticks around for the long run.

First, you know that painkillers aren't the really fixing the problem, but you continue to use them as the single "solution" to your problem. You probably know that painkillers will only numb you to the pain you're experiencing. They don't fix the underlying problem. Sadly, many people these days are too busy (or think they're too busy) to really have time to address the underlying problem.

This leads them to looking for a "magic pill" solution to correcting their sciatica. Unfortunately, there isn't one, but most people equate "the pain is gone" to "the problem is fixed." Taking painkillers removes the pain, but the underlying problem is still there, and it is likely getting worse without proper treatment.

Second, people don't put in the time to do the stretches they know they need to do. This leads off of that last point. You know that you need to be doing stretches to loosen up your muscles. But you're busy. After work, cooking dinner, running errands, a struggling to find the time to sit down with your family, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to dust off that stretching diagram your doctor game you and do what you know you need to.

But your sciatica isn't going to go away unless you make time to deal with it. Sure you can take some "magic pill" painkillers (most of which are actually dangerous for you) to help ease your pain, but the problem isn't going to get better until you actually make it important enough for you to invest time in it.

Just take a few minutes each day to do your stretches. Maybe while you're watching TV or enjoying other forms of "idle" time. All you need to do is find ways to multi-task and you can easily squeeze in those stretches you know you need to do.

Third, a lot of people don't stop the bad habits that cause sciatica in the first place. Maybe you sit at your desk all day long with your wallet in your back pocket. Maybe you have poor posture. Maybe you've got some extra weight you know you should get rid of.

Either way, if you don't correct these small habits that helped cause your sciatica in the first place, you're not going to get rid of it anytime soon. How much work is it really to take your wallet out of your pocket before you sit down, stand up straight, or start that diet you've been putting off?

Probably not much really, but most people get stuck in the habit of doing things they are used to, and it is difficult to build new habits. But for the sake of your back and your sciatica you really should try a bit harder to break the cycle of habits that cause your back pain.