Physical Therapy Exercises for Sciatica
Sciatica is the medical definition of various symptoms of sharp pains, tingling sensation, and feelings of weakness and often complete numbness of the lower back that runs all the way through the legs. It is called Sciatica because in the back of the leg it often causes a shooting pain in the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can be different for many people who are affected by it. Often it can be a constant pain in the legs and buttocks, often brought on by sitting in the same position for long periods of time, depending on the angle of your legs and the repeated pressure you put on them. Physical therapy exercises for Sciatica will help reduce and even eliminate the pain over time and if you’re experiencing the signs now you’ll want to start the exercises sooner rather than later.
When suffering from sciatic pain exercising might seem near impossible or that it might even make the pain worse, and bed rest would be much more beneficial, but that simply isn’t the case. Inactivity typically makes the pain worse especially once you try and move again so making sure that you have active exercising in the mix will actually bring you pain relief. Not only does this help keep the muscles in your leg moving as well as the nerve in your leg from experiencing pain but they also can help your spine so long as the exercises are done correctly. The spinal discs often play a large part in causing sciatic pain so you can often help ease the pain through your back as well. By exercising, your spinal plates will get in motion and ultimately they won’t settle and put pressure on your sciatic nerve. Having the spinal discs rest on your sciatic nerve can be the cause of extreme sciatica pain and moving it is really the only solution.
Stretching exercises are almost always advised to relieve sciatic pain. Sciatica specific stretching exercises are intended to focus on muscles that trigger pain when they’re inflexible and tight. Hamstring stretches are often prescribed as physical therapy exercises for Sciatica.
Strengthening exercises work several areas of the body, most importantly your core area. Performed together, they provide pain relief by strengthening the spine, keeping it aligned and keeping the spine mobile without injury.
Aerobic exercises like walking are a must because they have a conditioning effect that releasing endorphins which are our body’s natural pain killers, perfect for reducing sciatic pain.
Physical therapy exercises for Sciatica can vary but typically they will focus on core muscle strength. Almost all of the sciatica exercises will focus on both the back and the abdominal muscles in order to provide more support for your body. Often you will have to have more specified exercise routines to fit the underlying cause of your sciatica pain, and this can be identified by talking to your doctor. Bottom line, exercise is the only real cure for sciatica pain.