In case you do not want to handle severe lower back pain or shooting pain in the legs, then preventing sciatica is an absolute must. While sciatica is a problem that could affect almost anyone and everyone, the good part is that it can be prevented. Here is how you could keep the problem at bay.
Maybe, one of the most vital things that you need to do to prevent sciatica is to maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight exerts an additional pressure on the lower back. This leads to quicker degeneration of joints and bones. Subsequently, you might fall prey to sciatica.
It’s important that you be careful while you drive to avoid sciatica. Many individuals push the car seat too back while driving. Nevertheless, this is one thing that needs to be avoided. Ideally, you should manage to press the pedals just by flexing your ankle and without having to move your legs.
Your back should be positioned comfortably. It should neither be too bent nor too straight. Also, make sure that your hips are at an angle of ninety degrees. This will make certain that you’re exerting minimum strain on the lower body.
Keeping physically active is another thing that can be of great help to stay away from sciatica. Though there’re many fitness routines that can help in this regard, it’s yoga that offers the greatest advantage. There are different yoga exercises that could ease out sciatic pain. These exercises ensure that no unnecessary pressure is being exerted on the sciatic nerve.
Watch the way you sit. Ideally, your knees and hips ought to be at an angle of ninety degrees. Make sure that your body weight falls on the sitting bones and not the tail bone. Also, some people have the habit of crossing legs when they sit. When you cross legs, the whole body weight falls on one hip. This means increased pressure on the sciatic nerve on one side, which results in sciatica. Hence, you must ensure that you cross alternate legs from time to time. Although, it is strongly recommended that you don’t cross legs at all to stay clear of sciatica.
Eating a healthy and well balanced diet is another great way to avert sciatica. Go in for foods which are rich in Vitamin B1 like soyabean, Pinto beans, green leafy vegetables, pulses and the like. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you increase your fiber intake and cut down on the consumption of saturated fats.
As the saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure’, then why suffer the nuisance of sciatica. Try the tricks mentioned above to cut back your susceptibility to this problem.