The sciatic nerve, the longest in the body, runs down your back through your hip and leg. Sciatica, or pain in the sciatic nerve, can have a variety of causes. In some cases, improper or careless use of medicine balls during a workout can aggravate sciatica. However, your doctor may actually recommend the proper use of medicine balls to help treat sciatica symptoms.
Symptoms
Sciatica is generally characterized by pain along the lower back, hip and back of the leg. Unlike back pain from some other causes, sciatica usually runs to one of your legs. The pain can range from an intense burning feeling to a dull ache and may be accompanied by numbness or a tingling sensation in the same part of your body. Sneezing, coughing and sitting for extended periods of time may make the pain worse, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Causes
Since the causes of sciatica can vary widely, consult your doctor if you detect sciatica symptoms. Common causes include accumulated wear to the spinal or pelvic region, which can be caused by medicine ball exercises performed with poor form. Other potential causes include sudden trauma to the lower spine or pelvis, a slipped disk or even a tumor.
Treatment
In many cases, your doctor will recommend that you apply ice to the painful area for the first two to three days after you detect symptoms and heat thereafter. He likely will also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications. Although sciatica will often go away naturally with proper rest and rehabilitation, you may need surgery if your symptoms have not improved after about three months.
Medicine Balls
Although it may seem counterintuitive to be physically active when you are dealing with sciatica pain, gradually increasing exercises to improve the strength and flexibility of your back, core and hips can often help treat sciatica. Some medicine ball exercises may be effective for this purpose, though you should follow your doctor's advice regarding how much strain you put on your back. Medicine ball exercises that may be effective include Russian twists to strengthen the core or squat thrusts to strengthen the legs and back.
