Sciatica is among the most common medical conditions that people are suffering from. Most patients look for symptoms and sciatica treatment online and get confused about what to follow and avoid. However, everyone aims at the same thing, i.e., to get relief from Sciatica pain. Many people are also baffled in choosing the right Sciatica exercise for themselves. So, in this article, we will talk about the effectual exercise of Sciatica, i.e., walking.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition which causes a sharp pain in the lower back that runs down the legs. The pain is caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve. If any patient is experiencing pain, there are chances of irritation or injury caused to the sciatic nerve. Sometimes, the damage is also caused by a herniated disc between the vertebrae. In most cases, any abnormality in the lower spine that creates pressure on the nerve leads to Sciatica.
Exercises for Sciatica:
The symptoms of Sciatica are different for everyone, and people get relief from the pain within a week. If the symptoms reappear soon and Sciatica becomes a chronic condition, there is a need to bring lifestyle change. A large number of people found Sciatica Pain Exercises useful. The exercises helped to relax the muscles and abated the pressure on the sciatic nerve. A few of the exercises are listed below:
- Scissors Hamstrings
- Forward pigeon poses
- Knee to the opposite shoulder
- Reclining pigeon poses
- Standing hamstring stretch
The exercises listed above are stretches that would help ease your pain. Other forms of exercise are walking and swimming.
When and How to Walk with Sciatica?
Any exercise and Yoga poses for Sciatica is good as long as the pain is not triggered and there is no inflammation caused to the nerve. If any exercise leads to more injury or causes pressure on the nerve, there might be serious damage to the sciatic nerve. It is always advised to consult a doctor to know the seriousness of the Sciatica problem.
Yes, you can walk with Sciatica. Gentle and careful walking is recommended for patients. However, there are some key points that people must remember:
- Always wear comfortable shoes to avoid any pressure on your lower back and legs. Shoes must have a soft cushion sole and midsole that supports your walking.
- Good posture must be maintained while walking.
- Regular but short walks are more effective.
- Take rest if you feel pain in any of your legs.
Say No to Walk -Take Rest:
As we know, the sciatica condition can be serious or mild, depending upon each person’s symptoms. People should avoid walking if the pain increases while standing or doing any activity. In such cases, they are advised to rest completely.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: This is a condition in which the lower part of the spinal cord gets narrower. Lumbar stenosis is also one of the main causes of Sciatica. In serious cases of Sciatica, if any person tries or walks to stand, the spine gets narrower, causing more pressure on the sciatica nerve. This is the reason walking should be avoided in case of intense pain. Proper rest will slow down the pain and gives you freedom from Sciatica.
Remember:
- Walk slowly and for a shorter distance.
- Avoid walking and take proper rest in case of intense pain.
- Sleep properly on the soft mattress while taking rest.
Ways to Relieve Sciatica Pain:
Sciatica irritates the suffering if the pain continues for a longer time. It brings hopelessness and a lot of stress to people bearing the pain. The pain ranges from mild to severe and sometimes leads to numbness in one side of the lower body. So, there are some effective ways for sciatica treatment. Let us have a look at methods to cure Sciatica:
- Apply an ice pack to the affected area to ease the pain and relax the squeezed nerve.
- Do mild stretches to drop off the symptoms.
- Consulting a doctor and consuming prescribed medicines will relieve the pain.
- Take massage therapy that helps in blood circulation and relaxes the tight muscles.
- You can also go for treatment in Ayurveda, which has no side effects.
- Therapeutic Injections also help to ease the trouble.
Serious Symptoms of Sciatica:
The conditions which need an immediate visit to a doctor or are sometimes required to get hospitalized reflect the seriousness of Sciatica. Sometimes, there is a demand for surgery too. Some of the serious symptoms are:
- Numbness or swelling in one of the legs.
- Rhythmical throbbing or vibration felt in the leg or thigh.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Weight loss.
- Infection in the leg.
- Loss of sensation lower part of the body.
Conclusion:
Overall, walking is a good exercise for Sciatica. One can go for short walks daily. Eating healthy and remaining active helps to boost immunity. However, people suffering from Sciatica should avoid weight lifting, jumping or high workouts for some time. Remember, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.