Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down your leg, detecting sensations in this part of your body. It is the largest nerve in your body and if you experience a condition known as sciatica, the discs in your lumbar spine slip out of place, pressing on the sciatic nerve. If you experience this common condition, you may experience pain when walking. However, walking is rarely the cause of this nerve condition.
Symptoms
Sciatic nerve pain can vary from a mild tingling to a deep burning sensation. The pain most commonly occurs on one side of the body and can extend all the way to the foot. Your leg may feel weakened and if sciatic nerve pain is severe enough, you may not be able to move the leg. Sciatic nerve pain tends to flare up under certain circumstances, such as when you are standing, sitting, sneezing, coughing or laughing. If your pain becomes worse with walking, this can indicate your sciatic nerve pain stems from spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition that occurs when the discs between your vertebrae begin to become thinner and less supportive.
Walking as Treatment
Walking is often recommended as a method to relieve sciatic nerve pain. Walking is beneficial because it helps you maintain a healthy weight and enhances range of motion in your muscles and joints. Because it is a low-impact exercise, walking offers benefits without placing excess strain on the lower back. If you do experience sciatic nerve pain while walking, try walking in the shallow end of a pool. The weightless feeling of walking in water can cushion your joints while still burning calories.
Walking Posture
While the act of walking itself is not bad for your sciatic nerve, the posture you employ when walking can place extra strain on your back if you use improper form. Rounding your shoulders forward or sticking your neck too far out can push your discs out of place. A physical therapist or physician can evaluate your walking posture and make suggestions as to how you can improve. If necessary, a brace can help to correct your positioning.
Solution
Correcting your posture can help you to walk without placing added strain on the sciatic nerve. If you are experiencing a painful flare-up of symptoms, you may wish to rest for a 24-hour period. After this time, however, it is a good idea to walk or stretch the back to prevent a reduction in range of motion and stiffness in the back. As your sciatic nerve pain reduces, incorporate walking into your exercise plan.
