Sciatica can be very frustrating. Core strengthening is a key to help stabilize the spine and decrease the compression on your herniated discs. We recommend starting with "isometric" exercises, such as planks, and gentle stretching. With time, medications, and proper strengthening most of these cases resolve.
Sciatica
Sciatica is when you have pain, weakness or tingling that radiates down your leg. It is usually caused by disc problems in your spinal column but can also be caused by other problems.
The pain involved in sciatica can vary from a mild tingling to severe, disabling pain. It usually occurs on one side.
Because sciatica is a symptom, the cause of the problem needs to be discovered and treated.
If you have severe sciatica, you may want to consult a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in the nervous system.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 4 AnswersSciatica refers to the pain and other symptoms that result from a sciatic nerve problem. Your sciatic nerve extends from your lower back down the back of each of your legs. Although sciatica is typically the result of a herniated disk, there are several other possible causes. Sciatica typically occurs only on one side of your body.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
Sciatica is a symptom that usually occurs due to nerve root compression in your lower spine. The compressed nerve root can affect parts of your body in different ways. It can cause you to feel pain that radiates throughout your sciatic nerve, from your lower back down the back of your leg. Your affected leg may also feel weak, tingly, or numb.
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Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersSciatica is a condition that causes pain when your sciatic nerve gets irritated or squeezed. You often feel the pain in your lower back. Then, it spreads into the buttock or hip and down the back of the leg. Common causes of sciatica are disc disease and arthritis in the spine.
Running could make your symptoms worse. For example, if your nerve is irritated from arthritis, the bouncing and "loading" of the spine when you run could cause more irritation. But exercise, including running, could improve your symptoms. Running can help you lose weight, relax tight muscles and strengthen your back and abdominal muscles. This can ease your sciatica symptoms.
The way you run and the condition of your shoes can also affect your sciatica. For instance, it's harder to recover if you don't stretch, have poor posture or run in worn-out shoes.
So let your symptoms be your guide. Ask your doctor if he or she has any concerns with you running. If you get your doctor's OK, try running slowly and for a short time. If you're no worse, try going a bit faster or farther the next time. But don't increase your distance or speed too quickly. A good rule of thumb: Don't increase your distance and speed at the same time. And don't increase either your distance or your speed by more than 10% per week.
If you're used to running, starting slowly and building up to your old distance may be frustrating. But it's necessary. Going back to your old routine too soon could slow your recovery.
If you still have pain when running, a physical therapist can give you more guidance and treatment. -
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National Academy of Sports Medicine answeredSee All 6 AnswersSciatic nerve pain can be caused by several factors including a herniated disk or piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle (small, outer-hip muscle) becomes tight and puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Some general exercises that may help sciatica include static stretching your hip flexors and piriformis and low-intensity strengthening exercises for your glutes (such as a floor bridge or ball bridge) and deep abdominal muscles (supine marching).
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
After you first notice your sciatica, one or two days of bed rest may provide some pain relief. After that period, however, excessive bed rest is not recommended. In fact, inactivity may increase your inflammation and worsen your symptoms.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
In most cases, sciatica is caused by a nerve root being compressed by a herniated disk located in your lower back. In rare circumstances, the herniated disk may be compressing nerves that affect your control over bladder or bowel function. When this occurs, you may also notice a tingling sensation or numbness around your genital area or groin. This is a medical emergency, so see a doctor immediately.
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Regarding sciatic nerve pain, the StimRouter is not the best tool in the bag for these issues, but there are many other types of implantable devices for sciatic pain which work extremely well. Many of those are standard spinal cord stimulator devices, dorsal root ganglion stimulator devices and others.
Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider. -
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSee All 2 Answers
You may not be able to prevent sciatica, but engaging in practices that keep your back healthy may help. The most important practice is routine exercise. Try to incorporate exercises that strengthen your abdomen and lower back muscles, as these can help you maintain correct posture. Keeping correct posture when you sit, stand, or lift heavy objects can keep you from straining your back. And if you can prevent your back from being strained, you may be able to avoid the stress and fatigue on your nerves that can make you more susceptible to sciatica.
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Rick Olderman , Physical Therapy, answeredSee All 5 AnswersSciatic pain can result from poor spinal mechanics, poor hip mechanics, or both. Essentially, sciatic pain is caused by structures of the spine impinging nerve roots composing the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the leg. It's not unusual for sciatic pain to resolve relatively quickly once these abnormal stresses are removed from the spinal nerve roots.