Many people think of sciatica as a condition that only affects older adults, like arthritis or back pain, but is that true? In short, not really. While it’s less common, young people can absolutely suffer from sciatica pain.
This condition causes pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down your legs. And sciatica pain doesn’t always wait for you to turn 30 or 40 before flaring up and keeping you from doing the things you love.
The good news? Understanding the causes of sciatica and treatment options can help you find relief. If you’re a young adult experiencing lower back or leg pain, physical therapy may be the perfect solution to find relief quickly and for years to come.
Causes of sciatica
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. This pain typically radiates through the whole length of the nerve, starting in the lower back and traveling through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. Additional symptoms include burning or tingling sensations, numbness, or even weakness in the affected leg.
The main culprit? Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can be caused by several different things, including:
- Herniated discs: A bulging or ruptured disc in your spine can press against the sciatic nerve, causing pain.
- Spinal stenosis: This narrowing of the space within vertebrae that the spinal cord travels through is more common among older adults and can put pressure on the sciatic nerve in particular.
- Degenerative disk disease: The wearing down of cushioning soft tissue as well as the bone itself contributes to the onset of arthritis and sciatic nerve pain.
While these conditions are more typical in older age groups, younger adults are not totally immune. For instance, someone who injures their spine during physical activities or repetitive stress (such as heavy lifting) could develop sciatica as a side effect.
Can sciatica affect teens and young adults?
When we talk about sciatica in teens or young adults, the root causes often look a bit different than they do in older folks. For younger people suffering from sciatica pain, the triggers are typically severe versions of one or multiple of the following.
Sports or work injuries
High-impact sports like football, soccer, or gymnastics can sometimes lead to lower back injuries that irritate the sciatic nerve. Similarly, teenagers and young adults who perform repetitive or heavy physical labor may also develop sciatica.
Inflammation in the pelvis or GI tract
Conditions like pelvic inflammation or certain gastrointestinal issues can contribute indirectly to sciatic nerve irritation.
Poor posture
Not everyone picks up on good posture habits at a young age, and some postures can accelerate conditions that lead to sciatica pain. For example, constantly slouching at a desk or spending hours gaming in an uncomfortable chair can compress the discs in your lower back, potentially triggering sciatica pain.
Genetics
Sadly, if sciatica or other spinal conditions run in your family, you could be at an elevated risk no matter what you do, even as a young adult. Genetic factors may predispose you to complications like disc degeneration earlier in life.
Options for sciatica treatment (at any age)
The great news is that sciatica—whether you’re feeling it in your teens, 20s, or beyond—is treatable! Finding relief not only allows you to live your life with less pain, but it also helps prevent long-term complications from an unmanaged chronic condition.
Therapeutic exercises
Targeted physical therapy can help strengthen the core and lower back muscles, relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. Therapeutic exercises like curls, leg raises, or bridges may be helpful to strengthen weak muscles that cause your body to overcompensate in painful ways.
Manual physical therapy
Tight muscles in the hips and lower back can contribute to nerve compression. One of the fundamental treatments in physical therapy is manual joint mobilization, which is often used to stretch, relax, and increase the flexibility of tight joints and muscles. Massage, manual manipulation, or myofascial release performed by a skilled physical therapist can also target specific pain points and ease nerve compression.
Posture training and ergonomics
Your posture or furniture may be contributing to sciatica symptoms if they’re not well-suited to your body or habits. Whether your lifestyle recently changed or your pain has become impossible to ignore, a physical therapist can provide proper ergonomic advice and help you build healthy sitting and standing habits to prevent future issues.
Heat and ice therapy
Applying heat increases blood flow to relax tense muscles, while cold packs reduce inflammation and numb acute pain. Alternating between both therapies can provide temporary relief from sciatica, especially during flare-ups.
Find relief from sciatica pain in NW Washington State
Sciatica is no joke, and it doesn’t discriminate by age. Whether you’re in your teens, 20s, or beyond, you deserve a pain-free life. If you’re navigating symptoms that you think might be linked to sciatica pain, the physical therapists at Whatcom are here to help.
Our team is ready to take your call or follow up with you after you request an appointment online. We often can accommodate next-day appointments to help you get answers and a plan of care quickly.
