Best sciatica stretches

Introduction to Sciatica

Everyone knows that the symptoms of sciatica may be very painful and uncomfortable. This is not as uncommon as one might think. It is therefore, important for one to know the ways of dealing with sciatica.

Overview

Sciatica is a term that refers to a type of pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins in the low back and extends through the buttock area, ending at the feet. When something compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, it can cause a pain that radiates out from the lower back and travels down the leg to your calf.

Not many people know that sciatica is actually a symptom, and not a disorder. The radiating pain of sciatica signals another problem involving the nerve, such as a herniated disk.

Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. The common causes are: pelvic injury or fracture, slipped disk, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, tumors, degenerative disk disease, etc.

The common symptoms of sciatica are: pain, numbness or weakness in the legs, or a burning and tingling feeling down the legs, etc. Sciatic pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.The treatment for sciatica will usually include physical therapy and medication to alleviate the pain.

Sciatica Stretches

These stretches, along with medical treatment, can surely relieve the pain and other symptoms. Stretching of the muscles may increase the blood circulation, and therefore cellular oxygenation. The following stretches are one of the best as proven by many people.

One should lie on the back on the floor, and then cross right leg over the left leg. Then, one should bring the left leg towards the chest and hold it with both hands. This will stretch the muscles located in the butt. Although it may be hard, one should remain in this position for about ten to fifteen seconds, and then return to the starting position. After resting for a couple of seconds, one should do this again by switching the leg. This stretch may be done on the floor, or on the bed. One should lie on their back, bring the knees up to the chest, and stay in this position for about ten to twenty seconds. In this particular stretch, one should lie flat on their back on the floor, bend the knees, and tilt the pelvis so that the back flattens and the bone of the pubic rolls up. Also, one should breathe out as they move out the abdominal muscle flattening the spine and rolling the tailbone off. Then, one should take a deep breath to relax the muscles. This sciatica stretch is recommended to be performed from 8 to 10 times a day.