If you suffer from sciatica as an Arizonan in Phoenix, you know how much of a pain it can be. It’s not just the pain and discomfort that make it so terrible, either. The fear of when your next flare-up will happen is enough to keep anyone up at night. Speaking with a specialist in sciatica in Phoenix, AZ, can be a good idea. However, there are some things that you should avoid if you want to make your life a bit easier when you have sciatica.
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Sitting for Too Long
When you have sciatica, sitting down can be uncomfortable. The pressure on your back and hips can cause much pain, so it’s best to avoid sitting for too long. If you have to sit down, try to get up and move around every while.
Another thing you can do to make your life easier when you have sciatica is investing in ergonomic furniture. It will help reduce the pressure on your back and hips and make sitting down a lot more comfortable.
Lifting Heavy Objects
Another thing you should avoid when you have sciatica is lifting heavy objects. This can put a lot of pressure on your back and worsen the pain. If you need to lift something, try to ask for help or use a tool to make it easier.
Be aware of the equipment that can aggravate your sciatica if you’re at the gym. Stepping machines, for example, can put a lot of pressure on your back, so it’s best to avoid them. Heavyweights can also be a problem, so try to stick to lighter weights if you can.
Stretching the Wrong Way
Make sure to speak with your doctor about the right stretching movements to stick to. Some gentle stretching can be beneficial in relieving the pain and discomfort of sciatica, but you need to make sure that you’re doing it the right way. Stretching too hard or in the wrong direction can make the pain worse.
Sleeping on Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach can be bad for your back, and it’s not suitable if you have sciatica. It puts a lot of pressure on your spine, aggravating the pain. Try to sleep on your side or back instead – this will help reduce the pressure on your back.
Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your health no matter what, but it’s especially bad when you have sciatica. Smoking can aggravate the pain and make it harder to recover. If you want to get relief from your sciatica, try to quit smoking.
Avoid Long Car Trips
If you can, try to avoid taking long car trips when you have sciatica. Sitting in the same position for a long time can aggravate the pain, so it’s best to take breaks and move around as much as possible. If you can’t avoid a long car trip, make sure to take plenty of breaks and move around as much as you can.
Sciatica is a pain that can affect your life in more ways than one. The fear of when the next flare-up will happen, discomfort from sitting for too long, and even how you sleep at night are all things to worry about when you have sciatica. You can make some simple changes to improve your life when you have sciatica, like avoiding sitting for too long, lifting heavy objects, and smoking.
