Radiculopathy is the medical term used to describe irritation of the nerve roots exiting the spinal canal. Commonly referred to as a "pinched nerve," radiculopathy may be caused by several underlying conditions including a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal arthritis, an infection or a tumor. Although radiculopathy can affect any location along the spine, it most commonly occurs in the neck and low back, and less commonly the middle back. Radiculopathy affecting the low back is referred to as lumbar radiculopathy. Lumbar radiculopathy typically presents with pain, weakness or numbness of the legs and buttocks -- a condition known as sciatica.
Tailoring a Program to Your Needs
Exercise is recommended as a first line treatment for lumbar radiculopathy. Avoidance of activity is not recommended and, in fact, can actually make your condition worse. See your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica so that he or she can create an exercise program to fit your needs, or refer you to a physical therapist. Your exercise program should be specific for the underlying source of the pain. Performing the incorrect type of exercise can actually exacerbate the pain, so never attempt to do exercises without receiving a proper diagnosis first.
Strengthening Exercises
The goal of strengthening exercises is to strengthen the core muscles of your back and abdomen to provide a solid support foundation for your spine. Strong core muscles will help to hold your spine in neutral alignment and decrease your risk of developing a herniated disc. Patients with sciatica who include both stretching and strengthening exercises as a part of their exercise program not only recover faster, but also reduce their risk of developing sciatica symptoms in the future.
Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises will help to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness of muscles that can contribute to back pain. Stretching exercises should be focused not only on your back muscles but also the muscles of your leg, particularly the hamstrings. When your hamstrings, the muscles on the back of your thighs, are too tight they can actually pull on your lower back and exacerbate or even cause sciatica. For this reason, it is recommended that most individuals with sciatica incorporate stretching of the hamstrings into their exercise program.
Aerobic Exercise
Patients with sciatica should incorporate aerobic exercise into their recovery routine if possible. Aerobics improves cardiovascular health and decreases or reduces your risk of back pain. Aerobics helps to remove excess weight around your abdomen, commonly referred to as a "spare tire," that puts pressure on the spine and can lead to back pain. Low impact aerobics such as walking, swimming or bicycling are ideal for individuals with low back pain or sciatica. Avoid high impact aerobics such as jogging, hiking, jumping rope, climbing stairs or step aerobics as these can put undue stress on your spine.
