Where do you keep your wallet?
Most men like to keep their wallets in their back pockets. This is a bad habit that commonly causes a condition called sciatica.
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The longest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve. It runs from the lower part of the lumbar spine, through the buttocks area and all the way down to the back of the thighs and legs.
There are different ways in which the sciatic nerve can be pinched but one of the most common ways is by sitting on a wallet.
When you sit on your wallet, imagine sitting on an uneven surface. This causes one hip to be higher than the other; the result is a misaligned lumbar spine.
Where the wallet usually sits is the right on top of the piriformis muscle where the sciatic nerve runs. Over a period, the piriformis muscle contracts and impinges the sciatic nerve.
The irritation of the nerve can lead to back pain which travels from the waist area all the way to the leg or foot. This happens to be the path of the sciatic nerve.
Some people will describe the feeling in the leg as numbness others will call it tingling or a burning sensation. This condition is called sciatica or sciatic nerve pain.
Most people who have sciatica will tell you that it can be extremely painful. So why go through all this pain when this condition is totally preventable?
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However, if you are already experiencing this type of pain then it is essential to have it diagnosed properly as soon as possible.
Other causes of sciatica include lumbar disc bulges or prolapse, spinal canal stenosis (narrowing) and general wear and tear of the lumbar spine.
There are certain factors that may put you at more risk for sciatica: Being obese, having uncontrollable diabetes or being sedentary.
Whenever possible, opt for conservative treatments over more invasive and drastic measures, such as surgery. Chiropractic care and adjustments are a viable option for treating the pain and symptoms associated with sciatic nerve issues.
A 2006 study published in Spine found that manipulations (adjustments) helped relieve pain due to acute back pain and sciatica.
Another study published in 2010 found that 60 per cent of sciatica patients (who hadn't found relief from other therapies) experienced the same level of relief from chiropractic adjustments as patients who eventually had surgery.
Acupuncture, therapeutic stretching exercises and massage therapy may also help control the pain from sciatica naturally.