Sciatica is not a new condition; some claim that Hippocrates was the first doctor to name this unusual condition that causes pain in the back of the leg.

However, sciatica might be unfamiliar to you. The phrase is frequently used to describe discomfort involving the sciatic nerve, which travels down the back of the leg. Sciatica is frequently described as a throbbing, shooting, or even burning pain. Additionally, you might feel weak muscles, tingling, numbness, or altered reflexes in the affected leg. When the pain is mild, it might only reach the thigh, but when it is severe, it might reach the foot.

Here are a few simple stretches that can help you relieve sciatica. Continue reading to find out more about sciatic nerve and sciatica stretching.

Read more: Stretches to Do Before Bed: 7 Best Poses – Tips for Health Care

What is the Sciatic Nerve?

You might not even want to get up off the couch due to the agonizing and incapacitating nature of sciatic nerve pain. You probably know more than one person with this condition, as it’s relatively common, with a lifetime incidence of 10-40 %.

The sciatic nerve begins at your lower back and then moves through your hips, buttocks, and down each of your legs. Usually, the sciatic nerve’s course is followed by sciatic pain. Any time there is an issue along this pathway, it occurs.

Common causes of sciatica can include:

• A ruptured disk
• Narrowing of the spine canal (called spinal stenosis)
• Injury

Sciatic pain can also happenTrusted Source due to a condition called piriformis syndrome. The piriformis muscle runs from the edge of your spine in your buttocks all the way up to the top of your thigh. Since the sciatic nerve is close by, this muscle may occasionally spasm and entrap it. This can result in sciatic pain.

Stretches for the Sciatic Nerve

Maintaining an active routine and performing some gentle movements that target the affected area can help ease sciatica if it does recur. The stretches listed below can be performed at home on your floor.

Sitting Spinal Stretch

Vertebrae in the spine compress, which causes sciatica pain. By stretching the spine, you can release pressure on the sciatic nerve.

• Sit on the ground with your legs extended straight out with your feet flexed upward.
• Place your right foot outside of your left knee while bending your right knee.
• Place your left elbow on the outside of your right knee to help you gently turn your body toward the right.
• Three times holding for 30 seconds each followed by a side switch.

Figure 4 Stretch

The figure-4 stretch can help you open your hips. There are multiple versions of this stretch, but for purpose of relieving sciatic nerve pain, you can follow the following directions:

• Straighten both knees while lying flat on your back.
• Legs raised toward the torso, right foot over the left thigh.
• Hold the position for a moment and then repeat on the other side

It’s crucial not to push yourself during this stretch. Instead, allow gravity to bring your legs closer to your body more naturally, achieving a deeper stretch.

Clamshell

Clamshell can perform almost any type of digging, but it is most commonly used for deep, narrow excavations like well digging, for piling materials up high, and for rehandling loose material like sand or gravel.

• Knees bent, lie on your side. To support your head, tuck your lower arm under you.
• While keeping your feet close together, raise your top knee gradually to extend your legs outward like a clamshell. Avoid rolling toward your back by supporting yourself with your top arm.
• Hold for 5 to 30 seconds, then slowly let go. That’s one rep.

Prone on Elbows

The lower back can be stretched as a result.

• Lay on your stomach
• Keep your hips flat on the table
• Once you can place both elbows under each shoulder, lift your upper trunk up.
• Hold 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.

Glute Bridge

Performing glute bridges regularly is a great way to strengthen your glutes, stabilize your core, and improve your form and function as you perform other exercises. Strength and stabilization are the main benefits of glute bridges.

• Knees bent, feet flat on the ground, and hip-distance apart, you should be in a backward lying position. Let your arms hang at your sides, palms facing down.
• Draw your belly button toward your spine as you contract your core.
• Press your arms into the floor for support and push through your heels, raising your hips toward the ceiling and squeezing your glutes. Your body should form a straight line from head to knees, with barely any lower back arch.
• Slowly lower after holding for 5 to 30 seconds. That’s one rep.

Standing Hamstring Stretch

Sciatica-related hamstring tightness and pain can be reduced with the aid of this stretch.

• Put your right foot on an elevated surface at or below hip height. It’s possible that this is a chair, ottoman, or stairway step. A straight leg and toes are achieved by flexing the foot. If your knee tends to hyperextend, keep a slight bend in it.
• As you approach your foot, budge your body slightly forward. The stretch gets deeper as you travel further. Be careful not to push yourself too hard.
• Instead of lifting your raised leg’s hip up, let it fall. Use a yoga strap or long exercise band to help you ease your hip down by passing it under your left foot, over your right thigh, and under your hip.
• Hold for at least 30 seconds, then repeat on the other side.

Gentle Reminders

• Perform each exercise or body side eight to ten times.
• The best results come from doing them at least twice a week, though you can do them every day if it feels good.
• Take a deep breath, but don’t! As you carry out each movement, pay attention to inhaling deeply and filling your lungs. If you’re unsure of how to breathe deeply, try putting your hands over your belly while in the Glute Bridge pose and concentrating on trying to breathe so that your hands rise and fall.
• Keep in mind that you shouldn’t experience more pain as a result of these exercises or any other movements you perform, advises Jones. If they do, stop them immediately.

Final Thoughts

It is best to seek professional assistance if straightforward lower back stretches do not relieve sciatic nerve. The majority of the time, physical therapy will help patients with sciatica and low back pain. If symptoms do not improve completely, the spine doctor may order an MRI and consider steroid injections. Rarely, sciatic nerve may need to be treated surgically.

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