We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

exercising with sciatica

makinemjellis
makinemjellis Posts: 91 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been dealing with what I believe is some sciatic nerve pain the last week. I'm going to a chiro on Monday to get check out and have used this whole week as a rest period but would like to start upping my activity again. I'm assuming my usual weight lifting schedule is probably not a good idea so I'm looking for alternatives. My gym doesn't have a stationary bike or pool and I don't live in a climate that is suitable for much outdoor activity this time of the year.

I know a lot of what I can do is likely going to depend on my visit on Monday but I'd just like a few other suggestions as well.

TIA

Replies

  • Johnd2000
    Johnd2000 Posts: 198 Member
    I had 4 years of chronic sciatica, due to a bulging disk at L4/5. The only exercise that didn’t make it worse was gentle walking and generally standing as much as possible.

    Physio therapy resulted in a split disk that put me on my back for 4 months and required 2 operations to fix

    Be very careful. Generally, bouts of sciatica will get better in 3-12 weeks, unless there’s an ongoing disk issue.
  • fandslock22
    fandslock22 Posts: 14 Member
    Glad to see this post on Sciatica pain. The information was helpful and scary😆I Am having the same ussues... Doc and physio agree it is L4 and L5 compression. 4 weeks ago I picked up my dog and boom...Terrible pain in my butt and down my leg. You all know what I am talking about. Now I am off work. I thought I would be in less pain by now... kind of depressing. I am focusing on getting well. I decided not to drug my self with sugar...which I have done in the past when i was in pain. Down 9 lbs since my injury. 🙂
  • Talan79
    Talan79 Posts: 782 Member
    You should probably see an orthopedic.
  • angelsja
    angelsja Posts: 859 Member
    For me personally my sciatica gets worse with exercise BUT if I continue with it it gets better I just have to get through the initial pain first it won't be the same for everyone just putting it out there
  • BarbellCowgirl
    BarbellCowgirl Posts: 1,271 Member
    I went to a chiro for mild sciatica. He told me it was Piriformis syndrome and encouraged me to keep working out. Many hundreds of dollars, several months, and a load of bro science later, it was 10X worse and I finally had an MRI. Bulging disc at L4/L5 that took multiple rounds of injections to heal at that point.
    Proceed very, very carefully. I was physically miserable, in pain 24hours a day, for 2 years of my life because I didn’t get the appropriate treatment in the beginning.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    This is my usual advice for anyone with back related pain.

    Go see your doctor, get a proper diagnosis for your pain, then you will be in a better place to know what exercise will help and what could hinder your recovery.
  • fandslock22
    fandslock22 Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks for the advice. YUP I have bulging discs at L4 and L5. My physio therapist advice is if something hurts don't push it. Trying to keep active but only can walk or stand for 5 minutes. Been like this for 1 month. So motivated to lose weight right now because of the pain.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories