Exercises For Sciatica

Written by    Friday, 05 September 2008

Who Else Is Looking For Exercises For Sciatica? Sciatica is also known as radiculopathy. Sciatica is a term that is not a diagnosis on its own but it is a set of symptoms that refers to pain that is often caused by the irritation of the nerves in the lower region of the spine. The pain that is felt on this area is caused by a different number of conditions. These nerves in the lower region are the ones that make up the sciatic nerve. It may seem like if you have sciatic pain; you may want to stay immobile for a couple of weeks but that is actually counter productive. Prolonged rest may weaken and deteriorate the muscles on your back and the spinal structures are also affected and this can lead to more back pain. Back pain on top of back pain. Not a good thing to happen. Which exercises for sciatica to do depend on the cause of the back pain. And these exercises for sciatica have to be done on a regular basis. Below are two usual causes of sciatica and their corresponding exercises. Before the exercises commence, you first need to do some stretching. Lie on your back and slowly pull your knees to your chest area until it seems like you are hugging your legs. Hold this position for thirty seconds then release very slowly. Do this for an average of five repetitions. For the second half of the stretching, get down on all fours and then push your arms so that your buttocks will end up sitting on your heels. Do this for an average of five repetitions as well. Exercises for sciatica due to spinal stenosis Spinal stenosis is a condition that makes the passageway of the nerve become narrow or become constricted. It usually feels like a pain that goes along the lower back region to your leg while you are walking and to relieve it all you need is to sit down. As for the main strength building exercises for sciatica, do a curl up. Fold your arms on your chest and flatten your back by making your lower abs tighten. Slowly raise your head and your shoulders for about two to four inches from the floor then hold this position. Make ten repetitions of two’s. Exercises for sciatica due to a herniated disc A herniated disc means that your disc materials is protruding on the back area and is compressing of putting pressure on the nerve root. This pain then radiates and flows along the sciatic nerve. For starters, you can do some press ups. Lie flat on your stomach and put your palms on your chest center, beside the side of your body. Then slowly, prop your body up, without having the elbows leave the floor and without having your hips leave the floor as well then hold this position for five to thirty seconds depending on how long you can tolerate the hold. You can then do some extension exercise. Start on the same position, flat on your stomach, hands on heart center, elbows kept to the ground. Then slowly lift yourself up but this time, push up until the hips are off the floor.