Managing Sciatica

From butlercountytimesgazette.com

By Dr. Michael Roizen

*** Q: I think I have sciatica. What causes it and how can I make it go away? — Arnold R., Ocala, Florida 

A: Generally, sciatica is triggered by an irritated or compressed nerve that’s being rubbed by a disc, bone, joint or ligament. It affects your lower back around vertebrae L4 and L5 or S1 and extends down into your leg along the sciatic nerve (there’s one on each side of your body). That can happen because of a herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal), spondylolisthesis (one spinal bone slips forward in relation to the bone below it) or trauma (a fall, sports injury, car accident).

It’s smart to get evaluated by a doctor since you don’t want to cause further damage to your nerves or spine. However, you can do a lot on your own to relieve the pain, which is made worse by stress and by inflammation from food and inactivity. Around 90% of folks get better without surgery — usually in a few weeks.

The first week or two, ice packs can be used,15 minutes on, 20 minutes off; repeat two to three times a day. After the first week or two, using heat can relax tense muscles. But your best pain reliever is usually movement — aerobics, flexibility exercises like yoga, and strength training to give your back more support and strengthen your core. Always talk to your doctor about how to gauge what’s beneficial and what’s not and if physical therapy is needed.

Other helpful steps to take: Don’t sit down so much, and lose weight if needed. Avoid added sugars and red meat to decrease inflammation. Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription meds also can help. As for surgery, data show that six to 12 months after surgery, those folks are doing about as well as folks who just let sciatica get better on its own and 5% to 10% of people who have surgery aren’t helped by it or experience even worse pain.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. His next book is ‘The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow.’

https://www.butlercountytimesgazette.com/2023/04/22/getting-long-covid-19-prevented-and-treated-managing-sciatica/

Surgery for Sciatica Has No Long-Term Benefit

From painnewsnetwork.org

A surgical procedure called a discectomy is usually considered the treatment of last resort for people with leg pain from sciatica. Most medical guidelines only recommend a discectomy when exercise, pain medication and epidural steroid injections don’t work or provide minimal relief.

But in a meta-analysis (a study of studies) published in The BMJ, an international team of researchers found little evidence that discectomies reduce leg pain and disability. And even when they do, researchers say the benefits are usually short-lived.

Sciatica is a common condition that occurs when a herniated or slipped disk puts pressure on the lumbar nerve, causing pain, numbness and inflammation. The pain is felt on the sciatic nerve, running from the lower back down to the legs. Sciatica usually responds to non-surgical treatment, but in about 20% of cases, the pain will persist for a year or more.

Researchers looked at 24 clinical trials that looked at the effectiveness of discectomy and found “very low to low certainty evidence” that the procedure was superior to steroid injections and non-surgical treatment. Pain relief was moderate at best over the short term, and negligible after 12 months. There was also little evidence that discectomies reduce disability.

Despite those findings, researchers concluded that a discectomy might still be an early option for people with severe sciatica pain who need rapid relief. A discectomy relieves pressure on the lumbar nerve by removing a portion of the damaged disk.

“These findings challenge the notion that non-surgical treatment should always be the first line treatment for sciatica. In people with sciatica who regard rapid pain relief as an important treatment goal, and who feel that the benefits of discectomy outweigh the risks and costs, discectomy could be an early management option,” wrote lead author Chang Liu, PhD, a Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

“As a result of the treatment’s invasive nature and the substantial costs of surgery, we would encourage
clinicians to discuss with their patients that discectomy can provide rapid relief of leg pain, but that
non-surgical treatment can achieve similar results, although at a slower pace and with a potential chance
of requiring delayed surgery if they do not respond to non-surgical treatment.”

Liu and his colleagues found the risk of an adverse event from surgery, such as an infection, further disk herniation or post-operative pain, was similar between a discectomy and non-surgical treatment.

But in an editorial also published in The BMJ, researchers at the University of Oxford challenged Liu’s suggestion that an early discectomy might be appropriate for people who have not explored other treatment options. Most people with sciatica recover on their own, they said, without the risks of surgery.

“In primary care, about two thirds of people with sciatica recover within two to three months without the need or even an indication for invasive treatments. Therefore, extrapolation of Liu and colleagues’ findings to a primary care population would be misleading,” said lead author Annina Schmid, PhD, an Associate Professor at Oxford Neuroscience.

“Their conclusions should be limited to people with a specific diagnosis of radicular pain with or without radiculopathy, who have likely not responded adequately to non-surgical approaches, or to people with severe pain and a large enough impact on quality of life to warrant secondary care referral.”

Schmid and her co-authors say the new research highlights one of the problems in treating sciatica – it’s a complex condition influenced by individual factors, and no treatment will consistently have the same results for patients.

https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2023/4/19/surgery-for-sciatica-has-no-long-term-benefit

Top 6 Ways To Treat Your Sciatica Pain

From myrtlebeachsc.com

Sciatica affects millions of people, causing debilitating pain and discomfort. If you’re among them, it’s time to take action. Fortunately, there are a variety of effective ways one can treat sciatica pain from home with just a few items that you have in your medicine cabinet or obtain over the counter at any drug store. In this blog post, we will be discussing 6 easy yet impactful therapies and treatments you can use to ease your symptoms and find relief quickly. Keep reading for more information on how to treat your sciatica naturally!

Understand and identify the symptoms of sciatica pain

If you’ve been feeling intense pain that starts in your lower back and travels down one leg, you may be experiencing sciatica pain. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected leg. It’s important to understand these symptoms and identify them early on, so you can seek proper medical treatment. A doctor may recommend physical therapy, medication, or even surgery in severe cases. Don’t suffer in silence – take control of your health and alleviate your sciatica pain.

Get an accurate diagnosis

Don’t suffer in silence any longer! If you’re experiencing sciatica pain, it’s essential to seek out the help of a qualified medical professional. By doing so, you can get an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that will help you manage the pain and get back to your normal, active life. Don’t rely on self-diagnosis or non-medical treatments that may do more harm than good. With the right care and guidance, you can start to feel like yourself again and live your life to the fullest. Reach out to a trusted medical professional today to get the help you need.

Stretch your lower back, butt, and thighs daily

Get ready to say goodbye to sciatica pain! Stretching your lower back, butt, and thighs daily can work wonders in alleviating tension in the affected area. Don’t let the pain stop you from enjoying your daily routine or favourite activities. Incorporating a few simple stretches into your daily routine can make all the difference. So, take a few minutes each day to stretch out those muscles, and say hello to a pain-free life!

See a chiropractor

Sciatic nerve pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can cause sharp, shooting pain in the back, buttocks, and legs, making it almost impossible to carry out our daily activities. If you’re wondering how chiropractors treat sciatica, they often use spinal adjustments and other manual therapies to alleviate the pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduce the associated pain and inflammation. They are providing immediate relief and targeted treatments to alleviate sciatic nerve pain. With regular adjustments, a chiropractor can realign your spine, improve your posture and reduce inflammation, all of which can help relieve the pressure on your sciatic nerve. Chiropractic care is non-invasive, drug-free, and has been proven to be an effective solution for sciatic nerve pain. So, if you’re struggling with this painful condition, consider seeing a chiropractor and take the first step towards long-lasting relief.

Adjust your sleeping position

A simple adjustment to your sleeping position or the addition of an extra pillow between your legs can help you relieve the discomfort and finally get a better night’s rest. By aligning your spine and hips properly, you’ll be able to minimize the pressure on your sciatic nerve and feel more comfortable throughout the night. Give it a try and see how much of a difference it makes!

Try alternative treatments

While traditional medical treatments can sometimes help, they don’t always provide the relief you need. That’s where alternative treatments like acupuncture or massage therapy come in. These therapies focus on treating the root cause of your pain rather than just masking the symptoms. Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles into specific points on your body, which helps to promote natural healing and relieve pain. Massage therapy, on the other hand, helps to promote relaxation and reduce tension in the muscles, which can also help to alleviate sciatica pain. So, if you’re looking for a more holistic approach to your sciatica pain, consider giving these alternative treatments a try.

Sciatica pain can be debilitating and difficult to manage, but by understanding the symptoms, and finding the right diagnosis and treatments, you may find some relief. Start with less invasive remedies such as gentle stretching or changing your sleeping position to ease the tension in your lower back. If these don’t work, then consider alternative therapies or a trip to the chiropractor for targeted and immediate relief. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, being proactive and taking steps to manage your sciatica can help you find the pain relief you need.

https://myrtlebeachsc.com/top-6-ways-to-treat-your-sciatica-pain/ 

Acupuncture Treatment for Sciatica

From philaacupuncture.com

Treatments for sciatica can take the form of home treatment methods, as well as professional types of care. Effective, lasting relief of sciatica and sciatica-like symptoms typically does not require surgery, although in a few cases surgical intervention may be the best option. It should be kept in mind that no treatment for sciatica pain can be relied upon to be a permanent cure. Long-term management of the underlying causes for a given person’s sciatica symptoms is usually needed to prevent sciatica from recurring repeatedly and growing worse as time goes on.

Listed below are the available options for treatment of sciatica pain.

Medications

• The first line of treatment for sciatica nerve pain is often medications, whether it be prescription or non-prescription. Among the most popular medications are pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most commonly used medications for the treatment of sciatica may produce side effects that can be difficult for some people to tolerate, and they usually fail to provide complete relief of symptoms.

Spinal injections

• The next line of treatment for sciatica nerve pain is often spinal injections, which are usually done with some type of steroid medication. Injections are used to decrease swelling from inflammation around the involved nerves to diminish pressure and irritation. Although injections can be very effective when inflammatory swelling pressure is a significant cause of nerve irritation, they may be ineffective when the nerve is irritated by direct contact from a bone spur, disc herniation, or some other structure. Most doctors will limit the number of steroid injections for a given patient because when overused, steroid injections may cause relatively severe side-effects.

Physical therapy

• Physical therapy treatments for sciatica may include ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and other passive therapies, as well as active exercises for rehabilitation. In the early stages of care, passive therapies are used to ease symptoms, while rehabilitative exercise is used later on to correct underlying structural imbalances and distortions that would otherwise lead to recurrences of sciatica.

Surgical treatment

• Surgical treatment of sciatica pain should be considered only as a last option when everything else has failed. The vast majority of sciatica sufferers can recover without surgery, but in cases of severe disc herniation or rupture, severe degenerative spinal arthritis, or in cases where a cyst or tumour is producing pressure on one or more of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, surgical intervention may be the only option that will potentially provide long-term relief of sciatica symptoms. Note, surgery is not a reliable permanent cure for sciatica.

In the long run, natural remedies for sciatica-like acupuncture, home remedies, and daily exercises is the best treatment for sciatica that typically provide better overall results than other forms of treatment for sciatica pain.

If you feel pain in your lower-middle back when you bend or stretch and it radiates down to your legs, then you might be experiencing sciatica.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a pain manifestation which resulted from the irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain usually begins at the lower back and may extend down to the calf and foot depending on the affected nerve root. Sciatica is not a disorder by itself but a symptom resulted from another medical condition. People who are usually affected by sciatica are suffering from a herniated disc. Any factor which directly inflicts irritation and inflammation on the sciatic nerve produces the symptoms of sciatica.

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body. Its nerve roots run from the lumbar spinal cord located at the lower back extending through the buttocks, hips, and lower limb. When this nerve becomes inflamed or irritated it produces pain that resembles a leg cramp. It makes neither sitting nor standing difficult due to the intensity of pain it inflicts. Typically the pain is aggravated when sitting, sneezing, or coughing. Pain in acute sciatica usually lasts for four to eight weeks and diminishes on its own depending on the causative agent.

Sciatica symptoms

These symptoms of sciatica are usually only on one side and maybe one of, or a combination of:

• Pain that runs from the lower back down the back of the leg or buttock. The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning, or shooting pain that can become debilitating.
• Pain that is worse when sitting.
• You may experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg.
• The pain can be made worse by coughing or sneezing.
• Sharp pain that can make it difficult to walk.

The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and is about the diameter of your thumb. It runs from the lower back down your leg and as well as being the biggest, it is also the longest nerve in the body. It is derived from the spinal nerves that exit the spine from L4 through to S3 joining together.

The symptoms of sciatica occur when any one of these nerve roots that form the sciatica nerve is being compressed or irritated in the lumbar spine. This is what people classically think of as a ‘pinched’ nerve. It is not usually the result of a single injury, but an accumulation over time.

Most cases of sciatica will go away over time. However you should seek urgent medical attention if the pain has a sudden onset, is the result of a bad injury such as a car accident, it is not getting better after a week, or if you ever have trouble controlling your bowel or bladder

Sciatica causes

Interestingly, sciatica is not a specific condition, it is simply a catch of all medical term applied to a constellation of symptoms to describe a state the back pain sufferer is in. In this case, sciatica is used to describe a patient’s complaint of pain radiating across the buttocks, down the leg, and into the feet and toes along with the associated tingling and/or numbness.

Sciatica may be caused by several conditions, from stress and trauma at a specific location on the spine, the lower back, or lumbar curvature, to a more generalized condition such as obesity or pregnancy. There are several other conditions associated with sciatica, all requiring varying degrees of medical intervention and treatment. Some of the conditions likely to present with sciatica are:

• Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone or bone marrow. Osteomyelitis may be debilitating and in extreme cases may even cause death. It is difficult to diagnose and may go undetected for a long time unless appropriate blood tests are ordered and the medical practitioner is well trained in infectious diseases affecting the bones.
• Tumours on or near the spine: Tumours, particularly tumours or abnormal growth (e.g., scar tissue) affecting the nerves or nerve roots as they exit the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen, will sciatic nerve pain or sciatica.
• Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal and/or intervertebral foramen. Any narrowing of a structure can be defined broadly as stenosis. The stenosis, the narrowing affects and/or obstructs the pathway for nerves, thus exacerbating pain…in this case, creating the sciatic nerve pain associated with sciatica.
• Trauma: Trauma and stress go hand in hand when it comes to back pain and sciatica. Trauma may be localized, meaning the spine will take the brunt of the stress at a specific location, or it may be generalized and affect several levels simultaneously. The better equipped we are in terms of muscle strength, muscle balance (or imbalance), and the other factors affecting spine health, the better equipped we will be to handle appropriate levels of stress. The IVDs are remarkably resilient and very strong but if the discs undergo change as a result of any of the factors listed above, or the traumatic event is profound enough, damage to the spine may occur; and, sciatica may be the outcome. In this case, a medical practitioner should always be the first step in any bad back treatment strategy.

In reality, any one of the factors above, or several of the above-mentioned conditions together, may cause sciatica. Sciatica is, once again, the presentation of a specific type of pain. The actual condition causing the sciatic nerve pain may be any of the above or several other conditions not discussed here; these are some of the main ones.

Sciatica pain  a medical condition with associated symptoms of pain along the leg and hip, affecting one side of the body. Sciatica pains may be a result of spinal compression, bone spurs on the spine of a herniated disc. The pain experienced may come as aching, shooting, or burning pain and it could be a combination of these pains.

Sciatica pain has some risk factors that can be avoided while others cannot be avoided. Factors such as age, back injuries, spinal tumours, back strain due to pregnancy, and diabetic nerve damage are not preventable risk factors.

Sciatica pains sufferers tend to live with the condition undiagnosed for months and sometimes years in mild cases, assuming it to be normal cramping. Some of the possible signs experienced by sufferers include the following.

–    Burning, searing or tingling pain down the leg

–    Pain gets worse while sitting and it is felt in the buttocks or leg

–    Pain in one side of the buttocks

–    Difficulty in moving the leg or foot and also difficult to stand.

Sciatic nerve pain is a result of structural impingement or the compression of the sciatic nerve

in the lower back of the body. This occurs either due to a long term degeneration of the lumbar area or an injury to the lower back. The location where the pain is felt depends on where the compressed sciatic nerve is located. Sciatica pain can be a result of any of these conditions

•    Lumbar spinal stenosis
•    Degenerative disc disease
•    Pregnancy
•    Herniated lumbar disc
•    Spondylolisthesis

Natural remedies for sciatica

Natural remedies for sciatica pain can be very beneficial but do not forget to include a good diet, regular exercise and you must keep in mind that you are aiming to improve your overall health. If you want to avoid having this problem occur again in the future you may want to sleep on a firm mattress. Always sit and stand in good posture, and avoid lifting heavy objects as much as possible. It is the small things that cause sciatica pain in the long run, so be sure to make this a part of your everyday routine.

Listed below are natural remedies for sciatica.

Home remedies for sciatica –  most popular natural treatment for sciatica

Assuming that you have sciatic back pain and you are confident that you have nothing serious to be anxious about, the following suggestions may help you deal with your sciatica with fast home treatment. Listed below is a home treatment for sciatica

 

Back exercises

• Back exercise is a treatment for sciatica at home that is very effective, although it may go against your instincts to engage in physical activity while your back or legs hurt, low-impact exercises like water aerobics, stationary biking, and yoga can be quite effective at reducing symptom severity and strengthening your back to prevent future back issues. Stronger back muscles also help support the spine and alleviate pressure on spinal nerves which can reduce the frequency and intensity of sciatica episodes.

Stretching

• Another treatment for sciatica at home in a form of physical activity that may alleviate sciatica symptoms is stretching. Stretching should be performed slowly and gently; stop immediately if you notice any pain. You may try pulling your knees up to your chest, seated hip stretch, or seated spinal twist. The purpose of these stretches is to loosen the buttocks, hamstrings, and calves which can exert pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Heat and cold therapy

• Ice and heat are home remedies for sciatica that can alleviate many of the symptoms that accompany sciatica and accelerate the healing process. Applying ice for 15 minutes can numb the affected area, while heat will increase blood flow and improve healing. These applications can also reduce muscle spasms which are common among sciatica patients.

Sit up straight

• If you work at a desk or in a bent position for much of the day, pay close attention to your posture. You should try to sit with your head aligned with your hips. You should also take frequent breaks from sitting to relieve strain on your spine.

Massage – essential natural treatment for sciatica

Deeper massages or trigger point therapies are natural remedies for sciatica that have shown great success in treating muscle spasms, pain, and numbness in the legs and toes. Herbal oils and essential oils also give good results. Massage is also one of the best treatments for sciatica pain.

Herbs and Oils popular natural treatment for sciatica

Herbs and oils are natural remedies for sciatica that have beneficial effects, and many of them can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They can be found in capsules, ointments, liniments, and infused oils. You can also make tea from fresh or dried herbs, or use elixirs, tinctures, and essential oils for pain relief.

Listed below are herbs for sciatica

Celery Juice

• You can try blending celery and make a juice out of it. You can also add carrots to the mixture. This can provide immediate relief.

Elderberry Tea

• This herbal remedy, when taken in tea form, can stimulate the muscles and help it relax. This will then help reduce inflammation.

Garlic

• Garlic is one of the herbal treatments for sciatica pain that contains Vitamin B1 and B-complex that significantly reduce any form of pains and aches. This also improves blood circulation to prevent blood clotting.

Acupuncture for sciatica #1 natural treatment for sciatica

This alternative treatment involves inserting hair-fine needles at certain points on the body. Acupuncture for sciatica boosts the flow of energy and also contributes to proper nerve function. You should feel some relief after the very first treatment, but many people would benefit from receiving a few sessions.

Sciatica Acupuncture is a natural remedy for sciatica that serves as one of the best treatments for sciatica with no side effects once you are done with the sessions. Acupuncture for sciatica has been proven to be more effective than most treatments for sciatica.

Acupuncture for Sciatica Nerve aims at the specific sciatic nerve to control muscle relaxation and blood flow regulation along the passageway of the pain in the leg. Acupuncture for Sciatica relieves pain and reduces inflammation at the same time.

The common treatment for Sciatica pain includes epidural steroid injection, pain killers, hot/ cold therapy, and surgery to correct structural defects in the lower back.

Alternatively, acupuncture for sciatica which is a practice developed from traditional Chinese medicine offers a gentle and safer treatment for sciatic pain, as it is common with general pain management.

How acupuncture treatment for sciatica works for Pain Relief

Acupuncture for sciatica procedure involves the insertion of tiny needles into specific points called acupuncture points on the body surface. This insertion of needles triggers a certain reaction in the nervous system which is transmitted to the brain. The brain releases natural painkillers such as endorphins and encephalin as a result of this reaction. There is also increased blood flow into the body part where the pain is experienced bringing a form of relaxation to the surrounding area.

Role of Acupuncture in the natural treatment of sciatica

Though cannot correct or heal structural defect in the lower back that is responsible for Sciatica pain, it is an effective treatment in pain management. Acupuncture for Sciatica offers relief for severe pain experienced by Sciatica patients and helps in its management for an extended period, showing significant improvement.

Acupuncture points for sciatica treatment

The acupuncture for sciatica procedure includes the placing of acupuncture needles inside the wrist/ forearm area and the lower calf/ankle area where the acupuncture points for pain management are located. These needles inserted will increase the flow of blood and bring relaxation to the muscles of the affected area which is the lumbar vertebrae and the pathway of the pain in the leg.

Some primary acupuncture points for sciatica are:

• Zhibia BL54,
• Dachangshu BL25,
• Weizhong BL40,
• Chengfu BL36,
• Fengshi GB31,
• ChengshaBL57,
• Ashi, Huantia GB30
• Yaoyangguan DU3.

Additional acupuncture points for sciatica where needles are inserted for Qi stagnation and blood stasis are Xuehai (SP10) and Taichong (LV3). Also for liver and kidney deficiency, Shenshu (BL23) and Taixi (KD3) are added. For cold and damp stasis, Yanglingquan (GB34) is added.

Conclusion on natural treatment for sciatica

Sciatica is a painful condition that requires urgent medical attention as it impacts the daily lives of the sufferer and it can be bothersome. Whether the experience is still mild or at the chronic stage, it is essential to seek help from a qualified acupuncturist. Lots of research has proved the effectiveness of acupuncture for Sciatica. The best way out is to go for acupuncture treatment to improve your mobility and quality of life, by managing your pain effectively.

https://philaacupuncture.com/natural-treatment-for-sciatica-pain/ 

5 Sciatica Stretches to Relieve Nagging Leg Pain

From yahoo.com

This article originally appeared on Yoga Journal

If you’ve ever experienced sciatica, you know that the nagging, burning feeling along the back of your legs affects everything you do-the way you walk, how well you sleep, whether you can pick up your child or sit through the length of a road trip. The pain can be unbearable.

When all you want to do is get rid of the pain, you can practice yoga for sciatica relief. Sciatica stretches can provide a temporary reprieve from your symptoms as well as help ease discomfort over the long term. And not only can your yoga practice help relieve your symptoms, it can also improve your mental outlook when you’re faced with sciatic pain.

What Exactly is Sciatica?

Sciatica itself isn’t a medical condition. It's the symptom of a medical condition that pinches or otherwise damages the sciatic nerve, which starts at the base of your spine and extends down through the pelvis and along the backs of both thighs.

The nerve can be compromised by a bulging or herniated disk in the spine, an overgrowth of bone or bone spurs, or any trauma to the lumbar spine. A tumour can exert pressure on the nerve; diabetes can also cause nerve damage. Piriformis syndrome, a condition in which a small muscle under your glutes compresses and inflames the sciatic nerve, can also cause pain, but usually in a specific area, not along the length of your leg.

Sciatica is quite common. As many as 40 percent of people experience it throughout their lifetime. Your age and occupation are some of the highest risk factors for sciatica. It’s most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. As you age you may be more susceptible to the condition. You may be more at risk if you do a lot of twisting or heavy lifting, or if you're sitting all day. Being overweight also increases your chances of experiencing sciatica.

How Do You Know If You Have Sciatica?

Sciatic pain can present in a variety of ways, but often it’s described as a constant burning sensation. It can also feel sharp or throbbing or tingling. Your legs may feel weak or numb.

It could be worse when you’re sitting, bending forward, twisting, or trying to stand up. Though the sciatic nerve runs along both legs, a key symptom of sciatica is pain that is typically experienced on only one side of the body.

To determine the cause of your sciatic pain, your healthcare provider will give you the FAIR test for flexion, adduction, and internal rotation. In this test, a physical therapist or other qualified medical professional will ask you to lie on your side, with the affected hip on top. The therapist will move your leg in various positions--flexing it, moving it back, lifting it away from the midline, and rotating it inward.

This helps them examine the hip’s stability and see what might be compressing the sciatic nerve. If you feel pain in the gluteal area or radiating down your leg during this movement, you may have sciatica. The FAIR test can also help differentiate between sciatica and piriformis syndrome.

5 Sciatica Stretches

These sciatica stretches can help soothe sciatic nerve pain and release tension in your lower back and hips, so you can be on your way to healing. Add these poses to your yoga practice or other exercise routine. When you are practicing yoga for sciatica, pay attention to how you're sitting and maintain good posture.

For detailed descriptions of each pose, plus variations, cues, and benefits, click the links below to visit the Yoga Journal Pose Library

(Photo: Andrew Clark; Clothing: Calia)

Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)

Down Dog stretches your low back and glutes, and takes pressure off your lumbar spine.

(Photo: Andrew Clark; Clothing: Calia)

Viparita Karina (Legs-up-the-Wall Pose)

Legs-up-the-Wall is a restorative yoga posture that stretches your hamstrings and glutes, relaxes your hips, and releases tension in your low back. Sciatica pain that travels from the low back through the glutes and down the hamstrings can often be relieved in this inversion.

(Photo: Andrew Clark)

Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), variation

This variation of Cow Face Pose offers a strong stretch for the hips as well the piriformis, easing compression on the sciatic nerve.(Photo: Andrew Clark; Clothing: Calia)

Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Spinal Twist)

This spinal twist internally rotates the thighs while allowing gravity to pull your knees down, providing a passive stretch for your hips.

(Photo: Andrew Clark; Clothing: Calia)

Reclining Pigeon Pose

Sometimes called Supta Kapotasana, this posture stretches the hips while releasing pressure in the low back. By lying down instead of doing a traditional Pigeon Pose, you experience less weight on the hips and the low back isn’t as compressed.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/5-sciatica-stretches-relieve-nagging-111839355.html