Search:

Safe And Effective Sciatica Exercises

Sciatica exercises are extremely important to the long-term relief and management of disc-related sciatica. Although a number of different exercises for sciatica are recommended by various experts and non-experts alike, only a few are actually appropriate during an acute, severely painful sciatica episode, and some of the most commonly-suggested sciatica exercises may actually make things worse when used during times of acute pain.

For example, while commonly recommended to people with sciatica, exercises such as hamstring stretches and the yoga position, "downward facing dog" can be beneficial as part of managing one's condition once the pain is reduced, these exercises can place tension on the sciatic nerve and aggravate an already inflamed and sensitive condition. In general, any exercise that causes pain to increase in the leg and/or extend further down the leg should be completely avoided during the acute phase of sciatica.

During the acute phase of sciatica pain, McKenzie exercises provide one of the best and safest treatment approaches available - more effective than medication and epidural steroid injections in many people. Though often associated with spinal extension and mistakenly called the "McKenzie Extension Exercises", McKenzie method may involve any number of spinal positions/movements. The underlying principle of the McKenzie technique is to test various positions and exercises to determine what will create the most "centralization" of the pain and other symptoms.

McKenzie practitioners use the word "centralization" when the pain and other symptoms are relieved in the areas the greates distance away from the spine. To give an example, in a person with sciatica all the way down the leg to the foot, centralization might occur in which the pain left the foot and lower leg and then only extended down to the knee. If the pain extended to the knee at first, an example of centralization would be a situation in which the pain would leave the thigh and only extedown s far as the hip.

A position or exercise that results in symptom centralization is one that will be beneficial, even in situations where symptoms increase for a time in areas closer to the spine. For example, if you had sciatica and low back pain and tried one of of the McKenzie exercises and the sciatica completely went away but the back pain got worse, the exercise would still be considered beneficial and it would be recommended to continue using it. In the long run, a sciatica exercise that produces centralization will usually eventually result in improvement in all symptoms, even if more central (closer to the spine) symptoms get worse at first.

The simplest of the McKenzie exercises for alleviating sciatica is done by simply lying on one's stomach on the floor or a firm surface and propping one's chest up on the elbows. This places the lower spine in a gentle extension, which can help relieve sciatica by pushing bulging spinal discs forward, and away from the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, reducing pressure and irritation. Although you can maintain this position for relatively long periods of time, I recommend doing it for short periods of one or two minutes with a rest break of at least a few minutes in between. Taking short, frequent breaks keeps the lumbar musculature from getting tight, but still allows enough time to get good results in the majority of cases. For more complex sciatica exercises, getting detailed instructions either through an illustrated guide or an experienced health care practitioner is advised.

Article Source: http://www.newagelivingarticles.com

Dr. George Best has been practicing In San Antonio, Texas since 1991. To receive a free e-book on sciatica exercises and get access to a free informational video series on sciatica treatment options, visit his sciatica website.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Wellness, Fitness and Diet Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Wellness, Fitness And Diet

Guide to Lose Weight Quick For Women - By : Debbie Y.
Lose Weight Fast - The Right Mentality - By : Jeff S.
In Need of a Good Detox-Body Wrap Detox - By : John Khu
The Efficiency of Emotional Freedom Technique - By : StewartRobertson
Loose Unwanted Fat Fast - By : Jane J Doe
The Art of Growing Cabbage For Your Soup Diet - By : W. Darren -
Reduce Unwanted Weight Fast - By : Jane J Doe
Reduce Unwanted Weight - By : Jane J Doe
Loose Unwanted Weight Fast - By : Jane J Doe
Health and Nutrition: Feeling the Effects of Food - By : Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Article Directory Software
Click here to download the exact software that powers this directory for FREE. Start your own article directory today!

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Top Authors
Submit Articles
Member Login
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

Little Book Of Becoming
Masters of the Secret
The Singularity Is Near
Distribute Your Articles to 1000's!
Wildwind Enterprises
Bookstore
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

LINKS

All Links DirectoryAll Links Directory is 100% SEO friendly Directory and Human Edited.

Dominate The Search Engines with this software

Make Money Being an Affiliate with this software it's easy!

Learn How to Make Daily Profits Online starting Right Now!

Idiot Proof Clickbank Trick Makes $6,513 In 24 Hours

Amazing New Discovery: True psychokinesis easy to Use. Learn to control it for manifestation, healing, karmic repair with chakras.Visit us to find out how This Is 'PK' Mind Over Matter (Ebook, Free Download) fosters positive permanent change!

Submit Your Articles Quick and Easy with this software!

Get Keyword Elite and never hunt for keywords again!

NewAgeLivingArticles.com » Copyright © 2007 WildWind Enterprises
Terms of Service | Submission Guidelines | Contact Us | Link to Us| Privacy Policy | About Us | Article Submissions With A Click 100's of Sites!