Yoga is a way to treat your sciatica or herniated disc that will not overtax your muscles and contribute to your pain. The poses are meant to be performed in a gentle fashion, so they will not contribute to muscle strain. According to the Spine-Health website, stretching exercises such as yoga can loosen tight muscles while providing support through targeting the abdominal muscles.
Sciatica and Herniated Discs
Sciatica is an inflammation of your sciatic nerve, often caused by a herniated disc. Sciatica can be especially painful because it affects one of the major nerves of your lower body. Pressure on this nerve causes a sharp pain. Spinal discs are between the vertebrae of your spine to absorb some of the pressure and strain on your spinal cord. If these discs rupture, they can place pressure on the sciatic nerve, which results in the acute pain associated with this condition.
Benefits
Yoga can help relieve your pain through a series of gentle poses that target your back and legs. It is an ideal form of exercise because the movements are non-jarring. If you are not flexible, use aids such as a yoga brick or strap to help you with the pose. These props are a way to bridge into doing more difficult poses as your inflammation decreases. These poses engage the lower body to increase blood flow to this area. Increased blood flow can complement the healing process for your sciatica or herniated disc.
Poses
"Yoga Journal" recommends several poses specifically for treating your condition. Poses vary from beginner poses to more advanced positions. You should listen to your body and begin with easier poses. Some poses such as mountain pose and bound angle pose are deceptively easy, yet their benefit comes from staying in these poses for a short period of time to stretch your muscles. Other poses such as upward-facing dog pose will stretch your abdominal and chest muscles, providing further relief for muscles that may be affected by posture changes caused by your sciatica or herniated disc.
Abdominal Exercises
To prevent a recurrence of your sciatica or herniated discs, your yoga practice should also include poses that help build abdominal strength. Working both your back and abs will balance the workload. Strong abs will help improve your balance and coordination. These health conditions can occur through everyday movements such as a misstep or a bad golf shot. Having strong abs will help prevent muscle strain, which can aggravate your sciatica or herniated disc.
