Pain that originates in the low back and radiates down one or both legs is symptomatic of an inflamed sciatic nerve. When experiencing sciatic nerve pain, the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising. Yet inactivity leading to muscle imbalances is one of the many causes of sciatic nerve pain. Determining whether or not to exercise when symptoms persist is dependent on the source of pain and the type and intensity of exercise you intend to do.
Sciatica
Sciatica is not so much a condition as a set of symptoms indicating pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body, originating in your low spine and traveling through your pelvic floor and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve controls leg muscles and senses pain in the legs. When compressed, blood flow to the nerve may be restricted, causing inflammation and pain.
Causes of Sciatica
Before exercising with an inflamed sciatic nerve, you should consult with your health care provider to identify the cause of inflammation, advises physical therapist Ron S. Miller. Although compression often occurs at the spinal cord, too-tight muscles along the nerve can also be the source of sciatic pain. Piriformis syndrome, for example, is a squeezing of the sciatic nerve between the piriformis muscle and the pelvic bones, often caused by prolonged sitting. MayoClinic.com lists several other possible causes, including trauma from a fall or accident; spinal stenosis causing a narrowing of the vertebral disks; degenerative disc disease, or "slipped disc"; and other, less-likely causes such as spinal tumors.
Acute vs. Chronic Sciatica
An important factor to consider in determining whether or not to exercise is whether your symptoms are acute, meaning they manifested suddenly in response to a specific action or incident, or chronic, meaning the pain is an ongoing occurrence that has manifested over time. In the case of acute sciatica, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that exercise may worsen the problem. In such cases, the Center recommends rest followed by physical therapy if the pain persists after three to four weeks.
Exercise and Sciatica
For chronic sciatica, both the University of Maryland Medical Center and the MayoClinic.com recommend regular exercise as a course of treatment. Early exercise regimens should be low-impact in nature. Aerobic activities such as water aerobics, moderate walking and cycling are appropriate. Yoga, tai chi and core stabilization exercises will help strengthen the muscles that support the spine. Stretching exercises and resistance training will help promote balanced muscle tension, correcting spinal misalignment. Begin your exercise program slowly, paying careful attention to your body's feedback mechanisms. Gradually increase intensity as symptoms subside.
