 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sciatica and Exercise
Sciatica is a term that is often misused. It is meant to define a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis. Sciatica is a general term that refers to pain in the back of the leg caused by compression or irritation of one or more nerves exiting the lower spine that make up the sciatic nerve that runs down the back of the leg. Sciatic type pain can be caused by several conditions and may include a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and piriformis muscle syndrome.
A recent study found that in two thirds of people in whom back treatment failed to relieve the sciatica, a tight piriformis muscle in the hip was the reason for the leg discomfort. By simply stretching that tight muscle in your buttock, relief can be obtained by decreasing the pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Exercise is usually better for healing sciatic pain than bed rest. Patients may rest for a day or two after their sciatica flares up, but after that time period, inactivity will usually make the pain worse. Without exercise and movement, the back muscles and spinal structures become deconditioned and less able to support the back, which causes additional back pain. Exercise is also important for the health of the spinal discs. Movement helps the exchange of nutrients and fluids within the discs to keep them healthy.
Many sciatica exercises focus on strengthening the abdominal and back muscles in order to give more support for the back. When patients engage in a regular program of gentle strengthening and stretching exercises, they can recover more quickly from a flare up of sciatica and can help to prevent future episodes of pain. However, it is best to get a proper diagnosis of your sciatic pain before you start exercising. Each condition requires a specific type of exercise. A herniated disc requires backward extension moves whereas a person with spinal stenosis needs forward flexion exercises. Degenerative disc disease patients should perform spinal stabilization exercises and people with spondylolisthesis should combine flexion movements with spinal stabilization. Therefore, it is best to get some professional advice before starting any exercises for your leg discomfort.