Sciatica Exercises

September 24th, 2011

Sciatica exercises are known to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Sciatica affects your lower back and legs, causing severe pain. The pain normally occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, leading to discomfort. The pain will start from your lower back and spread to your legs. It can prevent you from leading a normal life since you might not be able to walk or bend. Fortunately, the condition can be cured by using medications or physical exercise. The key thing is to reduce muscle tension and inflammation.

Sciatica exercises involve stretching and they are very easy to learn. In fact, you can do most of them at home without the help of a professional. These exercises help to alleviate the pain and discomfort in sciatica. While it is important to take bed rest if you are suffering from sciatica, the rest should not exceed three days. Extreme bed rest will worsen the condition and alleviate pain. This is because lack of movement weakens the back muscles such that they cannot even support your body. On the other hand, exercise strengthens your back muscles to provide more support to your upper body.

5 Types of Sciatica Exercise to Try Out

• Lower Back Sciatica Exercises- should focus on strengthening the lower back muscles. Lower back exercise involves sitting on a mat with your legs wide apart before you. Keep your back straight and stretch your hands towards your feet. Stretch your hands as far as they can go, but do not overdo. Remember your goal is to relax your muscles not to touch your feet. Hold this pose for at least ten seconds. Repeat the procedure three times every day. At the end of the first week the lower back pain will start to go away.

• Abdominal Muscles Exercise- such as sit ups will not only strengthen your abdominal muscles, but will also strengthens the muscles at the lower back. Lie on your stomach with your knees apart. Place your pals on the floor and try to raise your upper body using your palms for support. You should do at least 10 sit ups every day. The pain will disappear with time but if the pain continues it is good to stop the exercise to prevent further damage to your sciatic nerve.

• Hamstring Sciatica Exercises- stretch your hamstring muscles can help to relieve sciatica nerve pain. Start by lying on the floor facing the floor. Place your palms on the floor and use them to lift your body. Stay like this for 30 seconds without moving. This type of exercise will help to stretch your hamstring muscles to reduce pain. Repeat this exercise every day and the pain will go away after a few weeks.

• Walking- is also crucial if you are suffering from sciatica pain. You should try walking, but not too fast. This will reduce muscle tension which in turn reduces pain. You should take a walk in the morning when the pain is at its peak.
• Pelvic Sciatica Exercises- can help to relieve sciatica nerve pain. The pelvis is the key to body balance and if it is balanced then your muscles will be relaxed. Pelvic exercise involves lying down and putting your hands on both side of your pelvis. Feel the pressure on the pelvis to determine if it is the same. If the pressure on one side is more then it means your pelvis is not balanced.

Sciatica exercises can help to relieve sciatica nerve pain. These exercises help you to stretch your muscles so as to ease pain. Choose an exercise you enjoy to make sure you will be able to do every day. However, you should not overdo it since this might worsen your pain. Contact your doctor to help you when choosing the right exercise for your condition.