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Surprising Reasons Why You Could Be Experiencing Sciatica Hip Pain

Surprising Reasons Why You Could Be Experiencing Sciatica Hip Pain

One in four Americans has experienced sharp, sometimes disabling, sciatica hip pain at some point in their life. According to a new U.S. study, these individuals are also more prone to have other illnesses and experience a lowered quality of life. Learn the reasons why you could be experiencing sciatica hip pain and how to prevent it.

What is Sciatica Hip Pain?

Sciatica pain radiates down the path of your sciatic nerve (from your lower back, through the hips and buttocks and down each leg). It can make simple actions, like sitting at your desk or playing with your grandchildren on the floor, feel like torture. 

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon reports that those who suffer from this condition tend to have higher rates of other physical ailments, such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity and strokes, compared to those without a history of sciatica. Rates of self-reported depression were also nearly double. 

There’s no doubt that sciatica hip pain can affect your quality of life. Let’s take a look at some surprising reasons it could be happening.

Read more about sciatica >>

Sciatica Hip Pain? These Reasons May Be to Blame

Spinal Disc Herniation

One of the most common causes of sciatica hip pain is a disc herniation in the lumbar spine. Herniated discs can place pressure on the nerve and cause inflammation that irritates the nerve.

Degenerative Joint Disease

Degenerative joint disease can lead to the formation of bony spurs on the facet joints, which can narrow the intervertebral area. It can also result in wear on the intervertebral disc and a reduction in disc height. This may result in loss of space and compress the exiting nerve.

Trauma

Any kind of trauma, such as a fall or sports injury can put pressure on the peripheral nerve, producing symptoms along that nerve’s distribution

Think your sciatica hip pain is only caused by spinal injury? Your habits and shoes may tell a different story. Take a look at these somewhat surprising sciatica hip pain causes:

Sitting Too Much

Habits like sitting too much can create tightness of the piriformis muscle and can result in the compression on the sciatic nerve underlying the muscle. Other repetitive strain activities to blame include biking or rowing for a long duration. The piriformis muscle is located within the gluteal muscles; when it experiences a spasm, shrinks or contracts, it can affect the sciatic nerve. 

Sitting On Your Wallet

Do you suffer from “back-pocket sciatica?” If you regularly carry your wallet in your back pocket and then sit on it, you run the risk of triggering sciatica hip pain. 

Wearing Tight Pants

Add tight pants into the mix with that wallet in your back pocket and you’re bound to risk cutting off circulation and experience sciatica hip pain. Before you toss out all your tight jeans, just remember to keep moving when you wear them (in other words, don’t wear them for your 8-hour work day at the computer).

Bearing Excess Weight

Excess body weight has a lot of connections to chronic back and hip pain, including sciatica. Research has found a connection with those who are overweight or obese and having sciatica. Additionally, excess weight, changes in posture and a heavier uterus during pregnancy may also contribute to sciatica hip nerve. 

Wearing High Heels

High heels can be to blame for a number of spinal problems. High heels push the body weight forward; in response, your body flexes forward at the hips to keep you upright. This position can place increased stress on your lower back and over stretch the hamstrings, which in turn may exacerbate sciatica symptoms.

Quick Relief for Sciatica Hip Pain

Most patients who experience sciatica hip pain find relief from their symptoms relatively quickly. At Twin Boro, our lower back physical therapy process begins with a thorough examination of the patient’s pain level, mobility, flexibility and strength. Based on this data, the therapist creates an individualized program to gradually address and improve the affected area. Our philosophy is to maximize the healing process in order to minimize the amount of down time and improve quality of life. 

If your sciatica hip pain is severe, a Spinal Orthopaedic therapist at Twin Boro can design a personalized treatment plan to help you find quick relief and prevent it from happening again. Give us a call at1-732-444-3578 to schedule your no-obligation appointment at one of our 23 convenient New Jersey clinics

Twin Boro Physical Therapy: Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey

Voted Readers’ Choice Best of New Jersey, Twin Boro has provided NJ residents with high quality physical therapy and rehab for over 39 years! It’s our award-winning approach, proven results and reputation that sets us apart. By incorporating the One2Four program into each patient’s program, the latest and most reliable scientific research and techniques are incorporated into effective evidence-based practice. We deliver only the highest standard of care with the unique One2Four approach.

It’s no surprise that Twin Boro Physical Therapy has also been voted the best physical therapy practice in New Jersey by the readers of mycentraljersey.com.

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