Sciatica Self Treatment Exercises
Sciatica Exercises and Self Treatment
Sciatica exercises and other self-treatment techniques are often just as effective, and may even work better for some individuals than treatments provided by doctors. This is particularly true when it comes to getting lasting relief, because most doctor-administered treatments only mask symptoms and do not address the underlying causes of sciatica, namely spinal disc protrusion and/or muscle contraction.
The symptoms of sciatica are pain, tingling, burning, and other sensations that extend from the buttock area down the back of the thigh, and sometimes all the way down the calf to the foot. True sciatica is related to compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve, most often by a bulging or ruptured spinal disc in the lower back.
Nearly identical in symptoms to true sciatica is a condition known a piriformis syndrome or "pseudo-sciatica". This is caused by contraction of a muscle in the lower buttock region, the piriformis, which runs from the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine that makes up the back part of the pelvis) to the hip. In some cases, the piriformis contraction may produce compression of the sciatic nerve, but the muscle itself can cause "referred pain" (similar to the arm pain that often accompanies a heart attack) that mimics sciatica.
Both true sciatica and piriformis syndrome can usually be treated effectively with simple exercises and home-treatment methods. One of the simplest sets of exercises for alleviating true sciatica is the McKenzie Method, named for New Zealand physical therapist Robin McKenzie. Although the McKenzie Method is usually associated with spinal extension, in fact the technique uses a systematic approach to determine what spinal positioning is most effective at reducing nerve compression by a herniated disc for a given individual. The majority of cases d respond best to some variation of spinal extension, but not all McKenzie exercises involve extension – it depends on what the evaluation techniques suggest will be most effective.
For piriformis syndrome, home treatment can best be accomplished by means of stretching and massage of the piriformis muscle. One simple stretch can be done by bending the leg and pulling the knee toward the chest, then carefully stretching the knee towards the opposite side shoulder. Stretching should be done slowly and with steady pressure, rather than "bouncing" the stretch which may actually increase muscle contraction. Massage of the piriformis can be done by finding the area of tightness in the lower buttock area and pressing one’s knuckles into the contracted area with firm pressure, gradually increasing pressure as the tenderness decreases and the muscle relaxes.
While there are other sciatica self treatment methods besides exercises,one of the most effective home remedies for disc related sciatica is the use of ice packs to reduce inflammation. While anti-inflammatory medication does help in many cases, ice can be far more effective and does not cause the side-effects that are common with the drugs. It is best to separate an ice pack from the skin with a thin layer of cloth, or a thin towel, in order to prevent frost bite of the skin. For best effect in treating disc-related sciatica, the cold packs should be placed on the lower back so that the pack extends at least one inch below the waistline. To get maximum effects, apply the ice pack for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time, then remove the pack and allow the skin to return to normal temperature before applying ice again. When in doubt, allow about 2 hours between applications of ice packs.
For additional sciatica information, please visit my SciaticaSelfCare.com website. When you visit, you’ll receive a free ebook on home treatment tips, and a free video course to help you etter understand your condition and treatment options.
Dr. George Best is a holistic healthcare provider in San Antonio, Texas, and webmaster of SciaticaSelfCare.com.
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