The Sciatic nerve starts in your lower back, runs through the buttock, and down your leg. It’s the longest and widest nerve in the human body and can be the root problem for many people suffering severe back pain.
Researchers estimate that 40% of people will develop sciatica at some point in their lifetime. Sciatica is a series of symptoms, not a diagnosis, that present themselves as pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness from the lower back through the buttock and into the legs.
According to Veritas’ Spine Health Website,
Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
- Pain that is worse when sitting
- Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or searing (versus a dull ache)
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes
- A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk
- Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (it rarely occurs only in the foot)
Treatment for sciatica usually involves some combination of anti-inflamatories, pain-killers, musle relaxants, and physical therapy.
While medication can reduce the swelling and pain, only physical therapy and proper posture will prevent the pain from returning. Contact your doctor and orthopedist if you suffer from sever back pain.
Try these 10 piriformis stretches to help relief sciatica pain and improve your quality of life.
1. Standing Piriformis Stretch
2. Supine Piriformis Stretch
3. Outer Hip Piriformis Stretch
4. Buttocks Stretch for the Piriformis Muscle
5. Long Adductor (Groin) Stretch
6. Hip Extension Exercise
7. Side Lying Clam Exercise
8. Seated Stretch
9. Short Adductor (Inner Thigh) Stretch
10. Supine Piriformis Side Stretch
Like and share this post if you’re planning to give some of these stretches a try. Please leave a comment on Facebook and let us know what else you’ve done to help relieve lower back pain.