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 June 25, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. 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 The risk of sciatica increases with age. Sciatica 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 One of the main risk factors for sciatica is getting older. With age, many issues can contribute to spine degeneration. Age-related changes can bring on sciatica due to changes in your intervertebral discs, bone spurs, and spinal stenosis. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc 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. Additionally, the discs themselves have begun their descent to vulnerability -- the older you get, the more resilience you've likely lost in your spinal discs. Sciatic 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 sports. A Sedentary Lifestyle While injuries from activities can damage your spine, sitting as a regular habit ups your sciatica risk too. You might find yourself sitting for prolonged periods of time while working at a computer, driving a lot, lounging, and the like. A big reason that sitting can lead to sciatica is that sitting compresses your spine and discs, which—depending on your spine condition—may irritate a spinal nerve root. Another reason is that sitting may put pressure on the sciatic nerve directly. Manual Labor and Your Sciatica Risk Frequently lifting heavy loads and/or repeatedly twisting the spine is associated with disc herniation, which often results in lumbar radiculopathy. Another work-related risk factor is vibration, such as operating a jackhammer. Runners and Endurance Athletes Runners and other endurance athletes are prone to overuse injuries and inflammation of the piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttock region. During extended periods of running, the piriformis muscle tightens to help you propel you forward. This muscle can spasm and cause buttock pain and may irritate the sciatic nerve, which runs under it. This irritation is known as piriformis syndrome and its symptoms can mimic sciatica. Other Groups Obesity can increase the risk of sciatic due to physical pressure on the nerve. People with diabetes are prone to nerve damage, including damage to the sciatic nerve. And due to hormonal changes and changes in the position of the baby, the risk of sciatica is increased during pregnancy as well. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 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. 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. Atlas SJ. Taming the pain of sciatica: For most people, time heals and less is more. Harvard Health Publishing. 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 Cedars Sinai. Piriformis syndrome. 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