Sciatic nerve pain is very common, affecting an estimated 40% of people at some point in their lifetime. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body; it travels from the lumbar spine and down both the right and left leg all the way to each foot. This nerve is essential for the function of the leg muscles and your ability to sense your legs.

The upper and middle back pain often arises from the thoracic spine and is composed of the 12 vertebrae; the bones attached to your rib cage, the spongy disc, which serves as the shock absorber move, the muscles, and the ligaments that hold the spine together. The upper and middle back’s primary function is to work with the ribs in protecting vital organs such as the lungs and heart and help keep the body stable.

Swimming for Degenerative Disc Disease Pain

Back pain is a prevalent condition in the US, with half of all working population in the country admitting to experiencing back pain. This condition doesn’t just cause your discomfort, but can also affect your daily activities. Back pain causes over 264 million lost workdays annually. The most common cause of back pain is degenerative disc disease, with one-third of the adult population aged 40-59 showing signs of the condition.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, about 2-3% of the total population or 6-9 million people in the US are living with scoliosis. Individuals with scoliosis have a curve in their spine that may range in severity from very mild to severe. This curve is measure in degrees, and can range from a minor curve of a few degrees to up to a severe curve of more than fifty degrees. It often is visible from childhood or adolescence and may not have a known cause, or is caused by another neurological or muscular disease. The prevalence of back pain in adults with scoliosis and without scoliosis is about the same. However, back pain is sometimes more severe in adults with scoliosis. Pain may be caused by curvature in the spine that results in facet arthropathy, spinal stenosis, and/or nerve compression.

Typically, the spinal anatomy in the lumbar spine allows nerves exiting from the spinal cord to transmit signals to the rest of your body. Discs lie between each vertebra, providing a cushion for the vertebra and protecting the nerves as they exit the spine. However, as we age, our discs in our spine may begin to break down and become dehydrated. This may cause them to move towards the spinal cord or the nerves that exit from the spinal cord. 

Sciatica is a pain that radiates from the lower spine of the buttock down to the back of the leg. The pain varies from one person to another. While some feel a mild ache, others may have excruciating pain. To others, they may feel numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg. Mild sciatica may go away on its own but if the pain lasts for more than a week, it can become severe so you might be advised to get immediate medical care.

With isolation and quarantine currently ongoing due to the pandemic Covid-19 and no definite date on when it ends, many businesses are having their employees working from home to ensure their safety.