The human body is a fascinating thing, and it can take a lot of abuse before finally succumbing. The problem with the human body is that sometimes the damage done to it isn’t apparent for years after the injury has occurred. One perfect example of this is sciatica, a common problem in Washington, PA. This condition typically occurs when one of your spinal discs begins to degenerate and eventually herniates, pinching a nerve in your lower back that runs down to your toes. A specialist in sciatica in Washington, PA, will take you through the causes of the problem before the treatment. Here are some of them.

1. Spondylolisthesis 

This is the most common cause of sciatica. The spines in your spine are separated by discs that act as shock absorbers to protect the bones above and below them. Once these discs start to wear out or get damaged, they can take on a “slipped disc” appearance and begin pinching nerves in your back, which will cause excruciating pain that can travel down into your buttock and leg. This is the most common cause of sciatica, especially in people between 30 and 40 years old.

2. Lumbar Herniated Discs

Sometimes when a herniated disc occurs in your back, it is located higher up near your neck, where it may do minor damage. However, the majority are located much lower in your back, right around your waistline, where they can quickly cause sciatica pain due to their proximity to the sciatic nerve.

3. Discitis

This is a type of inflammation of one or more discs in your spine. Discitis typically occurs because of an infection, which can come from an untreated back injury. Once the disease starts, the disc serves as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply and attack your body, causing intense pain that is typically located in your lower back.

4. Spinal Stenosis

If you have spinal stenosis, this means that one of your vertebrae is abnormally narrow. When your bones aren’t correctly lined up, it can lead to over-compression and damage to the surrounding discs and nerves, leading to severe pain. Sciatica pain occurs when the nerve root exits the spine and travels down the sciatic notch in your back. If it is pressed upon, you will feel this pain down your leg, which can be pretty debilitating.

5. Spinal Fractures

The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and the nerves that run through them from being damaged. When a fracture occurs in one of these structures, it can spread to a broader area and injure many more nerves. If they become displaced, this is known as a burst fracture, which can be extremely dangerous and painful.

6. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Typically, the air comes from up high in your chest and fills your lungs when you inhale. In thoracic outlet syndrome, however, an extra passageway causes your lower neck and shoulder muscles to compress a vein as you inhale. This can cause pain down into your arm, similar to how it feels with a pinched nerve in your back.

7. Spinal Degeneration Disease

Several diseases can damage the spine and lead to sciatica pain. These include osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative disc disease. In all of these cases, the discs in your lower back become damaged or begin deteriorating, which leads to instability in the joints.

Sciatica is a condition that typically occurs when one of your spinal discs begins to degenerate and eventually herniates, pinching a nerve in your lower back that runs down to your toes. The most common causes of sciatica are spondylolisthesis and lumbar herniated discs. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with sciatica, it is vital to see a doctor right away to get diagnosed and start treatment.