top of page
Search

What Are The Fears of Sciatica Back Pain?

Writer's picture: Parkway Back and Foot ClinicParkway Back and Foot Clinic


Fears of sciatica back pain are natural, especially since sciatica can be excruciating. However, if you’re not careful, your fears can lead to further problems down the road. If you don’t know how to deal with your fears or if you’re facing additional back pain problems, this article will help you sort out what to do next so that you can get on the path to recovery, reduce your fear of sciatica back pain and eventually experience sciatica relief. Here are some tips about how to cope with your fears of sciatica back pain.


What is sciatica?


Sciatic pain can show up as irritation in one or more parts of your sciatic nerve. Nerve roots connect to your spine in your back, and when they are irritated or inflamed, you can experience discomfort anywhere along their pathway down your leg. Fortunately, there are several different treatments for sciatic pain, depending on where it stems. And If you’re lucky enough to have a mild case of sciatica, a combination of stretching exercises and lifestyle changes may be all you need for sciatica relief.


Causes and symptoms

One common cause of sciatic pain is a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when tears in your outer or inner rings allow one or more gel-like centre portions (nucleus pulposus) to protrude through and irritate your spinal nerves. Herniated discs may happen with age, trauma, repetitive stress injuries, and sedentary lifestyles.


Pain-related fear

In many cases, people who suffer from sciatic pain have been diagnosed with a spinal disorder or spinal injury. In these cases, fear is a common symptom. It’s natural to be concerned about a new medical condition and what it might mean for your future health. Fear can arise in many forms: sometimes, a patient will panic when considering surgery, whereas others may feel scared to deal with pain or discomfort daily.


Pain intensity and fear

Patients who experienced more significant pain than they thought they could tolerate rated their fear as moderate or high. Those with lower pain intensity rated their fear as low. These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting that our fears become more significant when comparing them with reality. Our brains, it seems, are wired for over-perception and exaggeration of threats to keep us safe.


Stress-Pain Connection

Chronic stress, anxiety, and depression link to many medical issues—including back pain. For example, stress may increase symptoms for people with sciatica, a type of low-back pain caused by a pinched nerve in your lower spine. In fact, it can cause flare-ups. In addition, a study from England’s Keele University found that about 60 percent of adults with chronic lower back pain reported that psychological factors—such as depression or feelings of isolation—made their pain worse.


Exercises for people with sciatica pain



For people suffering from sciatic pain, a few exercises and sciatica pain treatment can help ease discomfort. The majority of these exercises focus on increasing flexibility and range of motion, which have proven to be highly effective in reducing pain in individuals suffering from sciatic nerve issues. If you’re looking for ways to deal with sciatic back pain, keep reading for some practical exercises you can do at home.


Get rid of the fear of sciatic back pain

Fear is often at the root of sciatic back pain. While you can’t eliminate your fear, you can understand it and work through it with help from a medical professional. One way to do that is by learning what causes your anxiety and what you can do to feel better. First, learn more about your condition. Most people who have problems with their backs know very little about them; they see it as something to get treated and dealt with so they can get back to their lives. But learning more about what you’re facing helps demystify things and makes dealing with issues like yours easier. Second, consult a doctor or other health care professional if necessary.


Conclusion

A sciatic nerve disorder occurs when one or more of your sciatic nerves are compressed, irritated, or damaged. This can cause significant pain that usually only disappears once you’ve received a proper diagnosis and started sciatica pain treatment. These treatments often include medications or therapies that help alleviate inflammation and swelling around your nerve bundles. If you’re struggling with sciatic nerve pain, make sure to speak with your doctor about these various treatment options to find one that best fits your needs.


3 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commentaires


  • Blue Facebook Icon
  • Grey Twitter Icon

Full Service Pain Management Clinic Since 2002

bottom of page