Sciatic nerve pain

katiezi
katiezi Posts: 44 Member
edited October 7 in Fitness and Exercise
I have recently been experiencing pain in my sciatic nerve. It's in my lower right leg and I really don't know what to do about it. I have had some lower back pain in the past that may have caused this pain. Does anyone know of any stretches that might be of use? I can take pain killers but I don't have to constantly take medicine for the pain to go away.

Thanks!
KZ
«1

Replies

  • JenGrape
    JenGrape Posts: 32 Member
    Have you tried using the foam roller? It helps break up adhesions and such... it has really helped me with a troublesom quad, and my sciatic nerve pain...
  • TMLPatrick
    TMLPatrick Posts: 558 Member
    I had this problem for like 2 months a few years back and my only solution was to stop what I was doing that was causing it (elliptical).... it cleared up after a week.
  • ElPumaMex
    ElPumaMex Posts: 367 Member
    Normally, Sciatic nerve pain is due to problems in the lower back.
    I have found an excellent book, that talks about the reasons for lower back problems, and the proper exercises to achieve long term improvement:

    Low Back Disorders, Second Edition
    Stuart McGill (Author)

    ISBN-10: 0736066926 | ISBN-13: 978-0736066921 | Publication Date: August 13, 2007

    http://www.amazon.com/Back-Disorders-Second-Stuart-McGill/dp/0736066926/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

    Good luck !
  • LuckyAng
    LuckyAng Posts: 1,173 Member
    I've struggled with this since giving birth to my son in 98. It's like being electrocuted :frown: So sorry you are feeling this pain.
  • YassSpartan
    YassSpartan Posts: 1,195 Member
    Let me see if I find a video I did explaining what stretch to do for the sciatic nerve pain. I'm a massage therapist btw. As soon as I'm done with my workout I'll send you the link.
  • cashnhaydensmama
    cashnhaydensmama Posts: 41 Member
    I've struggled with this since giving birth to my son in 98. It's like being electrocuted :frown: So sorry you are feeling this pain.

    I too have struggled with this since the birth of my first son. Good luck, I know how painful (and debilitating) it can be. :ohwell:
  • hwjssc
    hwjssc Posts: 194 Member
    I am sorry for you..I know the pain I have a herniated disc and I have that quite often..you can go on the internet and find some excerises..(I went to a PT and they gave me excercises to do). Be careful and I hope ou feel better soon.:)
  • Bankman1989
    Bankman1989 Posts: 1,116 Member
    I have recently been experiencing pain in my sciatic nerve. It's in my lower right leg and I really don't know what to do about it. I have had some lower back pain in the past that may have caused this pain. Does anyone know of any stretches that might be of use? I can take pain killers but I don't have to constantly take medicine for the pain to go away.

    Thanks!
    KZ
    http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/sciatica-exercises-sciatica-pain-relief
  • MountainMamaMarissa
    MountainMamaMarissa Posts: 202 Member
    Let me see if I find a video I did explaining what stretch to do for the sciatic nerve pain. I'm a massage therapist btw. As soon as I'm done with my workout I'll send you the link.

    I'd love to know how to ease my sciatic nerve pain; I have herniated discs. I hope you'll post the link for this stretch. I'd really appreciate it!
  • Jnholemam
    Jnholemam Posts: 6
    I am having the same problem and it runs down the front of my left leg. It really hinders you from doing any exercise. I would really like to know what to do about it as well. I had one in 2005 on my right leg. i would not wish this on anyone. :(
  • YassSpartan
    YassSpartan Posts: 1,195 Member
    First and foremost, you need to be aware that sciatic pain can be caused by different factors, and only a doctor can tell you the exact source of the problem. The video I'm posting here it is based on my experience as a massage therapist and is not meant to be used or replace any prescription by a doctor. Therefore, if anyone do the following stretches is at their own risks.

    With that said, the two factors I'll referring to that can cause sciatic pain are the piriformis syndrome (tightness of the piriformis muscle) and tightness of the lower back. When the piriformis gets tight, the sciatic nerve will be trapped between the muscle and the hip bone, irritating the nerve and causing the pain. Also when there's tightness on the lower back or there is any inflammation or any other condition of any disks of the spine in the lower back area, can cause sciatic pain as well.

    So, katiezi this is a short video I had to do because I can't find the one I did at the clinic I used to work at. Sorry for the accent :bigsmile:

    MountainMamaM, you mention herniated discs, so I would highly recommend to consult with your physician before trying any stretch, you don't want to hurt yourself since a doctor, knowing the level of your condition can give you the ok for any type of therapy/treatment. Just my advice.

    Last but not least, you can also google or try youtube for more videos about sciatic pain, piriformis stretches and lower back stretches. Always be careful and pay attention to your body while performing any stretch... and if possible, warm up a little bit before doing them too.

    This is my link
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOKqXJcDuM
  • sarvissa
    sarvissa Posts: 70 Member
    If you have insurance that will cover it, I would recommend seeing a dr and getting an MRI. I had sciatic pain off and on for about 3 years, then suddenly it got a little bit worse, then one day a couple weeks later my whole lower back locked up and I was in excruciating pain. I had an MRI done and saw my disc had ruptured and was now compressing my sciatic nerve. Due to "life" happening, I was unable to do anything about it for 2 months. I got to the point where I couldn't even walk, I was wheelchair bound. I finally had surgery which relieved the pain, but since I'd waited so long with compression on my nerve, I now have nerve damage. It sucks! Oh, and my leg atrophied, so rebuilding the muscles in that leg, along with having numbness in my foot has been a pain.
  • YassSpartan
    YassSpartan Posts: 1,195 Member
    Too bad you girls don't live close to Miami. I'd take care of that pain in 15 minutes with one of the pain management treatments I do :ohwell:
  • timanda2
    timanda2 Posts: 149
    I have it bad...it gets a ton worse when I'm pregnant...which I am. I find yoga helps relieve some pain for me.
  • PokerChris
    PokerChris Posts: 120 Member
    May not be what you want to hear, but you could try a chiropractor. My sciatic pain woke me up almost every night/morning at 4 a.m. for about 4 months. I finally went to the chiro and it helped immediately. It only flares up once in a while now.
  • nire54
    nire54 Posts: 4 Member
    i have had sciatic nerve pain also. I found that the only thing that helped me was going to a phsiotherapist and having acupunture done on it. This really helped me. I also had surgery done on my back about 12 years ago. hope this helps.
  • mlachance9
    mlachance9 Posts: 49 Member
    I see a chiropractor that I started seeing when I was pregnant and had this issue. It now flares up once in a while when I'm training for a half marathon and run a lot on the roads (which are slanted). Normally one visit to the chiroprator clears it up, occasionally a second visit is needed if I let it get really bad before I go. Good luck!
  • iKristine
    iKristine Posts: 288 Member
    I've suffered chronic sciatic pain. Sometimes it's cause my lower back is tight, others because my but is.

    90% of the time a good piriformis stretch will take care of it. It can be done with foam rollers, tennis balls. But I find that there are two I do that does the trick. The one with my leg under my body as here: piriformis.stretch.gif

    The other is similar but done when on my back : piriformis_stretch.jpg
  • lynnstoll
    lynnstoll Posts: 14
    My physical therapist showed me something called the pretzel stretch. I have to virtually do it every day so I can walk without pain. I will be having surgery this summer after school is out. I have a fractured vertebrae. Also, the elliptical is the only equipment I can use. I am encouraged not to walk too much. Funny huh? Hope this helps.
  • DonM46
    DonM46 Posts: 771 Member
    Several have commented that it could be a back problem.
    Listen.
    I had the same thing, ignored it.
    Big mistake.
    Two back surgeries later, my right leg is essentially dead from the knee down.
    My disk had slipped and the only thing preventing vertebra-to-vertebra contact was the nerve that comes out of the spinal cord, runs by my right hip, and goes down my leg.
    The vertebrae above and below the slipped disk had literally chewed into the nerve and partially severed it.
    The doc gave me only a 10% chance of regenerating that nerve; I got zero despite 6 months of physical therapy, electro therapy, and lots of home exercises.
    Get it checked.
    Please.
  • merandrich
    merandrich Posts: 13
    Dr Oz Just did a show this week on relieving diff types of pain, and sciatic pain was one. Go online to doctorozshow.com and check for the show. He said put a tennis ball on a chair. and sit on it (where your main pain is) and keep rolling back and forth so it massages the area and breaks of the pain?? something like that. but he swears by it. Also,l Ive pulled a lower back muscle a few times a yr. I used to treat w/ Advil & heating pads. No more. My chiro had me start taking magnesium pill once a day... and if I pull the muscle I soak in Epson salt baths once a day..sometimes twice.. and a few heating pads, and it heals fast. I haven't taken an Advil or any pain meds in 4 years and I do bootcamp 3 days a week! Good luck!
  • ohdearitsyou
    ohdearitsyou Posts: 4
    I second the piriformis stretches, foam roller, and trips to a chiropractor. I was in so much pain after having abdominal surgery (placement of my legs in stirrups on the operating table caused mine), that I limped into the chiroprator's office...and walked out smiling. Find one that specializes in ART methods.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    See a doctor. Please don't try to self-diagnose back issues.
  • AmyG1982
    AmyG1982 Posts: 1,040 Member
    I'd sugges chiro. I had back pain that I thought was just normal. turns out my right hip was 2 inches higher and twisted inward than the other. the DR said it was pushing on my spinal column and thats why i was getting the pain down my legs like i was. He helped me SO much!!
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
    I had this in december minus the pain. See a doctor. Back issues can be benign, they can be annoying injuries, or they can be something nasty serious. Your doctor will be better able to diagnose your issues.
  • sweetseraph7
    sweetseraph7 Posts: 91
    Moist heat helps and then ice. I had that pain and it was the worst pain I delt with - but it was severe. A chiropractor helped by massaging it out and some streching. . . just be careful and if it doesn't go away in a few days with the heat and ice I'd go see your chiropractor - preferably one that WON'T crack your back - but someone that will SOLVE the problem.
  • StrengthInPain
    StrengthInPain Posts: 155 Member
    First and foremost, you need to be aware that sciatic pain can be caused by different factors, and only a doctor can tell you the exact source of the problem. The video I'm posting here it is based on my experience as a massage therapist and is not meant to be used or replace any prescription by a doctor. Therefore, if anyone do the following stretches is at their own risks.

    With that said, the two factors I'll referring to that can cause sciatic pain are the piriformis syndrome (tightness of the piriformis muscle) and tightness of the lower back. When the piriformis gets tight, the sciatic nerve will be trapped between the muscle and the hip bone, irritating the nerve and causing the pain. Also when there's tightness on the lower back or there is any inflammation or any other condition of any disks of the spine in the lower back area, can cause sciatic pain as well.

    So, katiezi this is a short video I had to do because I can't find the one I did at the clinic I used to work at. Sorry for the accent :bigsmile:

    MountainMamaM, you mention herniated discs, so I would highly recommend to consult with your physician before trying any stretch, you don't want to hurt yourself since a doctor, knowing the level of your condition can give you the ok for any type of therapy/treatment. Just my advice.

    Last but not least, you can also google or try youtube for more videos about sciatic pain, piriformis stretches and lower back stretches. Always be careful and pay attention to your body while performing any stretch... and if possible, warm up a little bit before doing them too.

    This is my link
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOKqXJcDuM

    can't watch the video but agree with this entire post... piriformis is a very common cause of sciatic nerve pain. also, some warm heat on your low back and buttocks might help to loosen it up before you stretch.
  • YassSpartan
    YassSpartan Posts: 1,195 Member
    can't watch the video but agree with this entire post... piriformis is a very common cause of sciatic nerve pain. also, some warm heat on your low back and buttocks might help to loosen it up before you stretch.

    Can't watch it because you don't have access to youtube now or because it is unavailable? I tried the link without being signed in to my account and it worked.
  • yukondon
    yukondon Posts: 2
    I dealt with Sciatic pain for 12 years due to a herniated disk @ L5-S1 caused by an old baseball injury. It ruptured in 2005 and I had surgery. While stretches, therapy, chiropractic, etc. are all great solutions for the right case I highly recommend getting it checked by an MD.

    I have happily been pain free and active again for 6 years now!!
  • alltalk199
    alltalk199 Posts: 275
    Definately not a road I would like to go down anymore, really painful, couldn't walk, had a week off work, no choice but too rest.

    Mine was due to poor circulation, just woke up one day and I couldn't get out of bed, nothing. So I started to do a lot of stretching before and after exercising and my secret weapon that works for me, skins, when I train( I would wear them under my work uniform if I could, actually I have once.) Each to their own.

    Best present I have ever received!
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