Sciatica
Sciatica
Sciatic Stretches – Treating Sciatica Through Natural Means
Low back pain and sciatica can cause great distress to people, at times making them unable to carry on routine day to day activities. Treatment methods can vary depending on what exactly is causing the low back pain or sciatica and how severe the symptoms are. Medications can help in immediate relief to patients, especially for those suffering from acute pain. However the course of treatment and also in cases where symptoms are not so severe, exercise and sciatic stretches can help in sciatic relief.
The cause for sciatic pain should be identified. Often it could be caused by some irritation nerve points leading up to the sciatic nerve, pelvi instability could cause sciatic pain so could some kind of tightening in the Piriformis muscle. Whatever the cause, sciatic stretches have been recommended and found to be helpful to address the sciatic pain. Obviously, the stretches have to address these three areas – the Piriformis muscle, lower back and pelvis – as they have to target those muscles that cause pain.
First, let us turn our attention to the lower back muscles and joints. The sciatic nerve starts in this area and it is important that these areas be corrected first. The best way of tackling problems in the lower back areas would be to combine both lower back stretched and lower back exercises with some joint mobility workouts.
Next, we turn to what relief from pelvis instability. Obviously, the pelvis now needs to be balanced which is achieved with the help of exercises that not only relax the tightened muscles that cause pain but also strengthen the supporting muscles.
Finally, these exercises will aid in the realignment of the pelvis. Relief from pain caused by tightening in the Piriformis muscle can be achieved by stretches that include flexing the lower spine as also stretching the muscles at the back near the spine and consequently, stretching the Piriformis muscle.
One simple exercise to stretch the piriformis and get some relief from the pain can be mentioned here. Lie flat on your back on the floor. Now hold your right knee and pull it towards your left shoulder. You have to pull the knee and the foot across your body. Hold still for about 30 seconds. Repeat the same with the left knee. In addition to these exercises, hamstring stretches are also recommended for relief from sciatica pain. This is because any tightness in the hamstring can put more stress on the lower back and generally leads to a worsening of the situation.
Care should however be taken to see that hamstring stretches are done smoothly, that there is no bouncing and muscle spasms are avoided. Further, Yoga stretches are also found to be fairly effective in sciatica pain relief when it is caused by problems with Piriformis muscle. Again, certain yoga stretches do not help sciatica pain relief and in fact can cause more irritation.
It has been found that stretches for sciatica pain relief help a great deal in preventing future pain. However, always keep in mind that sciatica stretches must be done regularly and correctly to be effective.
For more info on sciatica treatment head to: http://www.sciaticatreatment.org today!
This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.
The pain in the middle of my left rump travels down both the hamstrings and the quads and lands in the left foot making it go numb.
I can sit and lye down but walking is impossible.
I went to the chiropractor who said to put ice on it for 20 min.
Is there anything else I can do?
I am right there with you Abby. Mine is the right side & I haven’t given it any rest so it is SCREAMING!!! My four toes are numb & side leg. Trust some one will answer with a great revelation for us.Doc said ice & heat-one after the other & then a tennis ball on backsides but!!!! Maybe I am impatient.
i am a carpet and flooring installer. i too have the same symtoms on the right side. a cane has been a lot of help to get around the house. but im not sure if the cold hot treatment is working all that well although the Biofreeze gell dose me wonders. also allieve pm helps me to get some rest at night.i also found that excedrin back and body is a great help in getting some releif .. hope this is of help .from hurtin still in okla…
I’m new to this Sciatica thing and it definitely is hindering me! I’m afraid to drive because I can’t life my right foot fast enough onto the brake pedal without lifting my leg with my hand (the pain is awful!!), so I drive with both feet. I just got a steroid shot today and don’t have any relief yet.Start my steroid pill regimen 2moro; heating pad and ibuprofen hasn’t worked. Sitting hurts…standing hurts…takes 5 minutes to stand up, get in & out of the car… Has anyone tried the driving wedge? How has it worked for you?
I have been hospitalized for a week in oct and last week. I have had 10 different injections. I also did
Physical therapy with percocet, flexeril and ibuprofren. I was starting to walk without the walker or cane. Then on Christmas out of nowhere, I was struck again. Pain on my rt side leg as if I was being chopped alive. All I could is scream and cry. I am only 41.
No one knows how to rid me of this! I haven’t driven in 4 months. My life has changed. I am a medical professional who had an active life until oct. I am looking for answers as well.
i went to see my dr today and he told me to lie on my back ,bring my right knee toward me,hold it for 30 seconds, then do the other knee,then bring both knees toward me, hold it for 30 seconds. next,lay flat on floor get into a rigid position, hold it for 30 seconds then relax.im to this exercise twice a day.. we will see if it works
I don’t know but you all of hit it right on the nerve, no pun intended. I am 39 yrs, active female, I love to exercise and when I do it flares up where sitting, standing ,walking up stairs, everything hurts. I was going to go to the docs but I have the heating pad, i have the excedrine back and body, i’m just going to try to rest. This hurts really hurts. The pain is on the left rump area down to my shin, little shots of pain. Hope you all feel better soon!
I had sciatic painfully. I went to an acupuncturist and along with that treatment and continued stretch exercise, the pain is gone. This is a proven fact. Exercises are important and should be done regularly to prevent sciatic pain from returning. Acupuncture works for me. My acupuncture used ariculartherapy – a needle-less form of acupuncture. I have had both kinds and please try it.
I am 33 and had this pain sense the birth of my first child, I have acute sciatica, it comes and goes and there time where I can get rid of the pain with stretching and there’s times where it doesn’t work. I can’t sleep, walk, sit I can’t do the simplest thing’s that I do. Bladder control is hard to control. It can be on the right or left or both. It has really became a pain in my butt and I want help to fix this problem.
I have tried chiropractor’s and physical therapy and I have walked out the way I went in or worse. I have had a prescription for hydro-codeine and all I did was get me dizzy and the pain was still there. I need relief and I need it now.
I’m 41 and just read your reviews about this pain.I have bursitis in my left hip and pain in my left buttock that absolutely drives me crazy!It really effects my life,with kids a husband,pets and chores to do it’s all I can do to do it.I’m schesuled in 3 days to get cortisone injections for this.I hope it helps.I cant lie,stand,sit or climb stairs for hurting.
I have been through two surgeries. one was Laminectomy/discectomy on november 6. it was effective for about 2 weeks . Re-herniated and had to have an anterior lumbar interbody spinal fusion. December 18 Risky and scary. they had to go in the front and cut approx. 8″ incision down my right abdomen to just below my belly button. Performed by 2 surgeons. 1 to open and gain access for the orthopedic surg. to remove the l5-s1 disc and replace it with a cadaver bone. using 4 titanium screws. Fusion is complete now. I am starting PT now but it is painful and I have been told that this sciatica nerve is slow to recover from the compression. Take care of it NOW!!
[...] Sciatica More Sciatica Articles [...]
Check these guys out. They are great!
Treat Pinch Sciatic Nerve
Minimally Invasive Pinched Sciatic Nerve Solution. Become Pain Free!
http://www.LaserSpineInstitute.com
I feel very bad for all of you. Ive been in constant pain like #7+ average since May 2002. You know-herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica in both legs, many spurs, muscle tears, spasms, crawling spider like feelings, severe electrical shock like feelings, some memory loss,fibromyalgia and it goes on and on…Lying on my stomach used to help alot. Vicodin helps. Soma, a muscle relaxer helps alot. Ibuprofen helps inflammation, but you have to be careful with ibuprofen cause it was very damaging to my liver and bowels, so had to take it far less often. Concentrating on something like sudoku and reading, meditation also help alot. Anything to interfere with your mind thinking about the pain, etc. Your mind has to be diverted when the pain gets so bad you scream. Pray alot. I’m allergic to all ‘caine’ meds so can’t take that shot that relieves you for months. Just don’t let depression get you down. Cause you know it will cause we’re so limited. Trapped in our own bodies. The pain will ease up and you can do some things. Your family and friends need you in any way you can give your attention to them. If you are alone, I’m here for you. Email me for a friend. Say you’re from the sciatica site on the title. Just don’t let the pain, etc… lead your life. We may be this way forever, so we have to find ways how to handle it.
I have experienced sciatic pain since 2004 and severe lower back pain since 2007. Every doctor I have seen has tried to put me on an anti-depressant. I finally saw an Endocrinologist as a last resort, and he found that I have a Vitamin D deficiency. This is what he feels is causing my joint pain, hair loss, and fatigue. I will begin taking a prescription strength Vitamin D tablet once a week as soon as I get to the pharmacy tomorrow.
My pain started 10 weeks ago. Product of herniated disc and then pinced nerve. I started with steroids (oral and shots) to reduce inflamation, flexoril for spasms, Motrin 800mg and Hydrocodon. Nothing helped. Now in physical therapy and using Neurontin mg. Started the Neurontin @ 300mg 3 xs per day and it did nothing. 600mg seems better and the physical therepy is helping to strenghten my leg. Still tingling of toes but I’m happy for that because I couldn’t move them 10 weeks ago. Also couldn’t move foot. The pain is constant, though. Kinda of a dull something I can’t describe. Any info would be helpful. Physical therapis also says I need to strengthen my core which will consequently strengthen my lower pack and help with the sciatica. So much info but not enough relief.
I have never had sciatica until 11 weeks ago…. out of the blue with no injury… At 63, I have never known this degree of unrelenting pain and have tried, steroids, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories, chiropractors, etc… I was told that safe and gentle stretching exercises (easy to find on internet) would be helpful but was afraid to try them with this pain. When the pain did subside a little bit, I did try them and was amazed to find they really did help me. I was told we need to do these exercises 2-3 times a day and stay with them even after the pain to prevent a flare up… I am hopeful that this will continue to work and hope it helps everyone else… Buni in KY
i suffer from sciatica, spinal stenosis, and arthritis. THe arthritis is starting to sprwead to all my joints. I’ve been living with this for a little over four years. I’ve been to neurologists, Emory, pain clinics, and everything else imaginable. I have been taking, oxycontin, percocet, zoloff, and pain patch for some time know. The combination of these is working for now but I’m only 41. I have a good job, two kids , a wife, and I also take care of my elderly father. This has to keep working, so I can keep working. I have to take care of my family, they depend on me and I want to be a good provider for them. If anyone has any ideas on ways I can get relief, please share them.
I am an active 33yr mother of two. I became a victum to sciatica in the past few months, with no warning. I have tried pain meds and heat reatments. I have recently tried massage therapy, but I feel like each week I am getting a little more stiff and less able to sleep. I work in the restaurant industry, which puts me on my feet, hard wood floors, for hrs at a time. I am open to any suggestions and relief.
I have had sciatic pain for about 8 years, and have tried everything, but nothing seem’s to work, and when it really gets bad I take a Lortab and it helps me, but it is addictive so I don’t want to take them all the time. I am looking for some relief also, I tried physical therapy but it made it worse with the heat being put on it. Stretches are good if you do them all the time, I need to know what works??
I came down with it ahilé recovering from a hernia repair. I tried accupuncture and felt marginally better for the NeXT two days. Then i had a chiroprator adjustment. Liggt streaching as recommended. Cold packs Now both hot and cold im much better after two weeks. Thank God
don’t give up.
I empathize with all of you who suffer from sciatica. I did not realize I have sciatica until earlier this week. Fortunately, I live in the Los Angeles and there are a number of reputable Chinese acupuncturists within driving distance. i went to the one whom I saw 10 years ago (this is not an exaggeration, at 69, he looks like he is in the early 40′s). After one 1-hour session (he manipulated the needles manually) and two dosages of herbal tea (yuck- tastes awful!), I’m already 80% better. He said that should do it, maybe one more session and it should go away.
ACUPUNCTURE WORKS, I’m convinced.
i was suffering tremendously with sciatica, had several types of treatment, tons of meds and was ready for surgery, it was like having sharp kives along my right leg, horrendous pain, not even 2 epidurals did a thing. i had to be treated for H pylori with a Prevpac, strong antibiotics for 14 days. The second day of the treatment the sciatica pain was reduced to 50%, I said to myself that is not happening, it’s antibiotics for some stomach bug, after e few days the pain was down 10, no more limping, no more tons of med just to be able to sleep. It had to be an infection in that area. There is evidence that a comum virus that cause acne may be the culprit. Tomorrow I’ll go back to my doctor with some print outs from the web and ask him to consider putting me on a more specific antibiotic, apparently this bacteria is very hard to kill and need a longer treatment than 14 days. My pains are increasing again. i don’t want to see another chiropractor or PTs, they could never help me this time around. I’ve tried everything n the books to avoid surgery…
Anybody else had the same experience?