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Sciatica Stretches
What are Sciatica Stretches?Stretches specifically performed to help sciatic nerve pain typically target the lower back and upper legs. Some therapists believe that sciatica might come from tight muscles or so called “muscle imbalances”. Stretching is performed to deal with these theoretically painful issues, along with targeted exercise routines. Stretches will work the muscles, ligaments and tendons, but will not have ANY EFFECT WHATSOEVER on the nerves or any nerve pain… Therapists who claim that stretches will cure spinal induced sciatica are typically even less enlightened that the rest of the clueless care providers who prescribe completely inappropriate treatment modalities. Stretches might help to alleviate pseudo-sciatica symptoms due to sacroiliac concerns.Benefits of Sciatica StretchesFor actual structurally induced sciatica pain, stretches will do absolutely no good at all. Stretches will not help a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease or any form of osteoarthritis which might be causing spinal nerve root compression. Why stretches are prescribed at all for these conditions is be beyond my logic…However, some patients do indeed benefit from stretching. This goes to prove once again, that most sciatic nerve syndromes are the direct result of ischemia, rather than a spinal causation. Stretching increases circulation and therefore cellular oxygenation. This temporarily alleviates the symptoms of oxygen deprivation back pain and provides a few hours of relief. Ironically, the very same care providers who prescribe stretches to treat what they think to be structural sciatica can not always explain why or how these exercises will help the spinal condition. They certainly can explain why stretches will work wonders for an ischemia based pain syndrome. Still, they do not typically accept that most sciatica is the direct result of oxygen deprivation…GO FIGURE… Advice on Sciatica StretchesIf you receive no relief at all from stretching and exercise, there is a bit higher chance that your pain might actually be caused by that spinal condition which has been diagnosed. However, if your pain does respond to exercise and stretching, the chances that you have been misdiagnosed have just gone up significantly. Remember, exercise works as a good temporary therapy for oxygen deprivation but does not change the structure of your spine…During my 18 years of suffering with sciatica back pain, I was told by many doctors and therapists that I should stretch more and do more exercise. COME ON… I have 4 black belts in various martial arts styles and work out constantly. I am, and have always been, in superb physical shape, despite my back pain. In addition, I am a certified fitness trainer and completely understand the benefits of exercise and stretching 100%. I found this advice a bit ignorant and insulting, especially coming from some of these doctors who looked as if they sat around eating donuts all day and night… Ok, here is the bottom line… Stretching is good. Stretching is healthy. Stretching will not cure structurally induced sciatica or provide any significant lasting relief. If stretching does help considerably, reconsider your diagnosis, since it might very well be faulty… 7/22/08 Revised 12/16/09
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