Sciatica is a lower back problem that causes a wide range of symptoms for people in Peterborough and area. The sciatic nerve begins in the lower spine and runs down both legs. As a result, the pain, numbness, or burning sensation is often felt in one hip as well as in the buttock and leg on the same side.
When in pain, it can be tempting to avoid all exercise, and of course, you would want to discuss any new exercise program with a doctor. However, exercise is a vital part of spine health, and there are some exercises that may strengthen the core and help you to relieve some of the pain, while also getting relief with chiropractic adjustments to correct spinal misalignments that are causing sciatica.
We are going to discuss a natural way to deal with sciatica on a long-term basis, but first, let’s look at eight exercises that may offer some relief.
Exercises for Sciatic Nerve Pain
#1 – Curl-Ups
This exercise starts flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands behind your head, but remember that they are just there for support. Don’t pull yourself up by your head or you will strain your neck. Use your abs to raise your head and shoulders off of the floor. Hold this position for three seconds and then relax. Try to start with 10 repetitions and gradually increase how many curl-ups you can perform.
#2 – Superman Stretch
For this exercise, lay flat on your stomach with your arms about your head. Tighten your abs so you raise your arms, head, chest, and legs off the ground. Gradually work your way up until you can hold each rep for five seconds. This helps to strengthen the lower back.
#3 – Hip Raises
Begin by lying flat on your back with your knees bent and your arms at your sides. Raise your hips off the ground so that you make a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. This is a great exercise for the lower back and glutes.
#4 – Planking
Instead of getting into push-up position, rest on your forearms and toes. Keep your elbow in line with your shoulder. You should immediately feel the need to use your abs to keep your midsection from sagging toward the ground. Work your way up to holding the plank position for 60 seconds at a time.
#5 Side Plank
Another sciatica exercise, this works the muscles at the sides of your abdomen. Lay o
n one side and then raise yourself up on one forearm. Again, the elbow should be directly below the shoulder. Don’t allow your hip to sag toward the ground. Try to create a straight line from your feet to your head.
#6 Leg-Raises
This is performed flat on your back with your arms at your sides. Lift one leg at a time just a few inches off the ground and keep it straight. Try holding it for a few seconds. Do 10-15 reps on each side. 
#7 Piriformis Stretch
Lay on your back with your knees bent. Cross your left ankle over your right knee. Wrap your hands behind your right knee and gently pull it toward your chest. Try to hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds. Then switch legs and stretch the other side. The piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve share close proximity, so this stretch is an important one.
#8 Bird Dog
This exercise starts out on your hands and knees. Then you alternate stretching one leg back with the opposite arm forward. Alternate sides and try to do 10 reaches on each side. Alternately, you could perform an exercise called the dead bug which involves the same motions but laying on your back.
Seeking Natural Relief from Sciatica Pain
If you are coping with the intense pain of sciatica, you may find that NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are the primary way a doctor is trying to control your symptoms in Peterborough and area. However, there may be a natural way to help you get relief along with the sciatica exercises–with the help of a chiropractor and chiropractic adjustments.
If you are tired of the side effects of pain relievers and don’t want to opt for expensive and dangerous surgeries without exhausting every option, then we’d like to provide you with some hope. Upper Cervical Chiropractic has been able to help many people to deal with their back pain. How can the neck be the cause of your lower back issues?
The Upper Cervical Spine and Sciatica
The spine functions from the top down. In other words, when the top two bones of your neck are out of alignment, the rest of the spine shifts to compensate – particularly to keep the head level. This can lead to changes throughout the back. While you may not have any neck pain, the problem is that pain usually occurs where the greatest changes take place. A misalignment of a fraction of a millimeter in the neck can lead to a major change in the lower spine that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
At PTBO Chiro in Peterborough, Ontario, our Chiropractic care strives to correct spinal misalignment so that the natural healing abilities of the body can get to work. It makes sense that if the spine shifted out of position to compensate for this misalignment, it would shift back when the misalignment is corrected. This has been the case for many patients. To learn more about chiropractic adjustments and how it may be able to help you, we encourage you to seek out a no-obligation comprehensive consultation with us.
You can find us in Peterborough, Ontario. 354 Charlotte Street. 705 741 4404.