Sciatica is a debilitating condition that results when some portion of the body’s largest nerve system becomes pinched or compressed. It causes pain in the lower back, and a tingling or numbness in the buttocks and lower extremities.
It can be the result of something as simple as a pulled muscle that became too swollen and pressed on the nearby nerve, or a herniated disc that’s putting pressure on the area.
One extremely beneficial method is exercises to relieve sciatica pain. Although the pain may be so debilitating, it’s difficult to be motivated to be active, you should avoid total stagnation. Lying still for too long when back pain and sciatica are concerned can actually exacerbate the condition. This is because the muscles stiffen and add to the pain that’s being caused, instead of the intended result of rest in order to allow the area to heal.
So, exercise is important to helping the healing process and getting on the road to being pain free from your sciatica. Here are a few that you may want to try.
•As simplistic as it may sound, low impact exercises are often very effective at relieving sciatica pain. Things like walking or swimming are very easy on your body, but highly beneficial. They will get the blood pumping just enough to help oxygen rich blood flow to the injured area, promoting healing.
•Yoga is also very effective at relieving sciatica pain. The various poses and stretches can even be catered to target your pain if you find a good instructor. If you’d rather practice yoga in the comfort of your own home, you can even purchase a DVD or set of DVDs to follow along with in your living room.
•There are also some other stretches you can try to relieve tension in your lower back. However, when you’re performing yoga or any type of stretches make sure you’re not feeling any pain in the various positions. If any position becomes painful for you, simply pull back until it feels more like a stretch. It’s important not to overextend any of your muscles, especially when you’re working to relieve sciatica pain. You don’t want to worsen the injury with the methodology.
•First, lie down on the ground with your arms out, so your body resembles a “T” shape. Then pick up your right leg, bending it at the knee, and bring it over your left. Work to place the side of your right knee as close to the ground as possible. If you’re performing this stretch properly, your body should look something like the number 4. Repeat this pose on the other side to make sure you stretch all of your back muscles.
•Next, try sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the floor in front of you. Simply bend over with your arms stretched out and try to touch the floor. Hold the position for a few seconds and release. Repeat if you like.
The Healthy Back Institute carries a plethora of resources on achieving and maintaining a healthy back, including DVD tutorials and e-books. For more information on how you can use exercises to relieve sciatica pain, visit losethebackpain.com today.
