Sciatica refers to a series of symptoms that are indicative of other underlying conditions. Sciatica is not itself a disease, and consequently, your ability to exercise with sciatica will depend greatly on the cause of the symptoms. However, for many causes of sciatica, exercise is recommended and may help alleviate the pain associated with this condition. Consult your physician before beginning an exercise regimen.
Causes
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates from the lower back over the buttocks and down the back of the thighs. Usually, sciatica pain is limited to one side of the body and may be experienced as a throbbing, stabbing, cramping or burning sensation. Discomfort is generally exacerbated by sitting for long periods of time. The causes of sciatica are diverse and include pregnancy, piriformis syndrome, trauma, spinal tumors, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or it may be of unknown origin. It is important to receive a full physical evaluation from your physician before beginning an exercise program, since the underlying causes of sciatica may be serious.
Diagnosis
Your physician will probably begin his diagnosis with a full physical exam. Some findings associated with sciatica include lower extremity weakness, abnormal ankle-jerk reflex and reproducible pain. Your physician may also send you for further tests including X-ray, MRI or other tests that will help to narrow down the cause of your pain. Your physician may recommend some stretching exercises that will help alleviate your symptoms. If not, ask him about safe exercises you can perform while living with sciatica.
Stretching
Gentle stretching may help to relieve pressure or compression of the lumbar or sacral nerves that are responsible for sciatic pain. If piriformis syndrome is the cause of your sciatica, ask your physician about stretches specific for the piriformis muscle. Try to hold each stretch for 30 seconds while avoiding any pulling or jerking motions. Stretch only as far as you can reach comfortably, and stop if you experience pain.
Fitness
Since a sedentary lifestyle tends to exacerbate the pain associated with sciatica, one of the best things you can do is to incorporate some gentle exercise into your daily routine. At first, stick with low impact exercises like cycling and swimming that are easy on your joints. As your sciatica symptoms diminish, you may be able to incorporate more vigorous exercise into your routine including walking and strength training. If you are unsure where to start, ask your physician to recommend a physical therapist who will help you to figure out an exercise program that works for your particular condition.
