Back & Neck Pain Causes & Risk Factors Are You at Risk for Sciatica Pain? By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 22, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anju Goel, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anju Goel, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She has over 10 years of experience in the California public health system addressing communicable disease, health policy, and disaster preparedness. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print There are many factors that can contribute to sciatica. The condition causes pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, and loss of reflexes in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. Sometimes sciatica is caused by degenerative conditions, like arthritis—and lifestyle factors are at play, as well. Radiculopathy is a condition in which a nerve root in the spinal column is compressed. Sciatica is a type of lumbar (lower spine) radiculopathy in which the sciatic nerve is compressed. design36 Age as Sciatica Risk Factor The most common causes of sciatica change with age. Sciatica most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. It may happen with any sudden pressure on the disks that cushion bones of the lower spine, such as during work activities or exercise. Physical activities, including sports, heavy lifting, and repeated movements can lead to injuries or inflammation that affect the sciatic nerve. Pregnancy is another cause of sciatica, With advancing age, medical conditions can lead to structural changes that can bring on sciatica due to effects on the intervertebral discs, bone spurs, and spinal stenosis. Most Common Causes of Sciatica Spine and Disc Disease Common diseases that affect the spine and intravertebral discs tend to develop gradually. Once the pressure on the sciatic nerve reaches a certain threshold, symptoms can begin. Conditions that can lead to sciatic nerve pressure: Degeneration of the intervertebral discs usually starts around the age of 30. Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) usually first crops up in people 50 or older. Arthritic changes in the spine, such as bone spurs, can develop after years of arthritis. Any of these conditions can also make the spine more susceptible to injury. A Sedentary Lifestyle While injuries from activities can damage your spine, sitting as a regular habit ups your sciatica risk too. You might sit for prolonged periods of time every day while working at a computer, driving, or lounging. A big reason that sitting can lead to sciatica is that sitting compresses your spine and discs, which may irritate a spinal nerve root. Another reason is that sitting may put pressure on the sciatic nerve directly. Physical Injuries At any age, a physical injury can lead to sciatica. Activities like competitive sports, exercising, physically demanding jobs, frequent lifting, or twisting the spine can increase the risk of a herniated disc, which can cause sudden symptoms of sciatica. For example, vibration from operating a jackhammer is a work-related risk. Exercise for Sciatica Related to Herniated Disc If you have disease or degeneration of your spine or discs, or if your muscles are weak, you could be at an increased risk of sciatica, even without an injury. Other Risk factors If you have health factors that lead to excess pressure on your sciatic nerve, you could be at increased risk of sciatica. Factors that can increase pressure on the sciatic nerve: Obesity Pregnancy Scoliosis Severe weakness on one side of the body, which can occur due to cerebral palsy or a stroke Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any of these risk factors. They may detect signs of sciatica (such as mild reflex changes or sensory loss) before symptoms begin. Physical therapy or home exercises may help prevent the progression of pressure so you won't have damage to your sciatic nerve. How Sciatica Is Treated 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Beynon R, Elwenspoek MMC, Sheppard A, et al. The utility of diagnostic selective nerve root blocks in the management of patients with lumbar radiculopathy: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2019;9(4):e025790. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025790 Shiri R, Euro U, Heliövaara M, et al. Lifestyle Risk Factors Increase the Risk of Hospitalization for Sciatica: Findings of Four Prospective Cohort Studies. Am J Med. 2017;130(12):1408-1414.e6. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.06.027 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Sciatica. Atlas SJ. Taming the pain of sciatica: For most people, time heals and less is more. Harvard Health Publishing. Adams MA, Dolan P. Intervertebral disc degeneration: evidence for two distinct phenotypes. J Anat. 2012;221(6):497-506. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2012.01551.x John Hopkins Medicine. Lumbar spinal stenosis. Euro U, Heliövaara M, Shiri R, et al. Work-related risk factors for sciatica leading to hospitalization. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):6562. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42597-w Additional Reading Bernard, B., M.D., M.P.H. Low Back Musculoskeletal Disorders: Evidence for Work Relatedness. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors - NIOSH Publication 97-141. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-141/pdfs/97-141f.pdf Kendall, F., McCreary, E., & Provance, P. Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins. Kinser, C., & Colby, L. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques.Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company. Miranda, H., Viikari-Juntura, E., Martikainen, R., Takala, E.P., Riihimaki, H., Individual factors, occupational loading, and physical exercise as predictors of sciatica pain. Spine. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12004179 NINDS. Piriformis Syndrome Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Web Last Updated. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/piriformis_syndrome/piriformis_syndrome.htm By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit