Sciatica leg pain is a condition often times encountered in people with back pain. Here’s a video of 2 exercises for sciatica you may find helpful.
The exercises for sciatica involve stretching a small muscle in the buttocks called the piriformis (which we’ve talked about before – see piriformis syndrome) and an exercise for the sciatic nerve itself.
Done consistently, these exercises for sciatica should eliminate sciatic leg pain.
For more back pain treatment options, grab a copy of my FREE back pain relief secrets here ==> Back Pain Relief Secrets
Let me know how you like the video by commenting below. Also, if you have a particular back pain topic you’d like me to cover, let me know.
Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,
Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
Clinical Specialist
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
18 comments ↓
great video, malton…
vey informative demo on how to do the right exercises for sciatica
regards,
rowell
Hey there - this may seem like an oddball question, but I don’t see much of it - what’s your take on headstands?
Pro or Con?
thanks
Debs
Keep in mind that this is an aggressive stretch but is VERY effective in eliminating sciatic pain.
As for the headstands, that’s not something I do or, for that matter, know anyone that uses it. I do use inversion therapy, but there is no weight on the head. If you have some info I can look at, I’d be happy to comment.
Thanks for viewing.
That first stretch is called a “pigeon pose” in yoga (I think).
i tried these exercises as i suffer from severe sciatica leg pain but i physically cannot raise my leg more than quarter way up. why?? ;0(
Mela,
Thanks for your question. 2 reasons why you aren’t able to move the leg:
1. VERY irritated sciatic nerve. You may need a little help in reducing the inflammation. Ask your doctor about a medrol dose pack. This is a steroid that you take over a 6 day period to reduce inflammation.
2. Something els is going on. I will need more info from you. Shoot me an email at backpainhelp@gmeil.com
Thanks.
Malton
Thank you. I appreciate your comment.
Hi
my mother has backache and leg pain problem. doctor prescribed her some medicine and some exercise for backache. But she still has problem with back mainly with leg. what should she do to get rid from this pain
This particular exercise is good, assuming your mother can 1.) get into this position; or 2.) the problem is due to a tight piriformis muscle. Check out the sciatica series I did earlier. You may find the video especially interesting. If the problem is coming from a herniated disc, the problem may be helped with epidural steroid injections.
And, of course, you may want to check out my program by clicking the “Click Here To Learn More” button at the top of this page.
Let me know if I can help
Malton
I have recurring sciatica on my right side that flares up about 3-4 times a year, usually only for a couple of days. I’ve been working on some home remodeling projects lately, and it’s been driving me crazy for several weeks. It’s gotten to the point where I am walking crooked, and every step hurts.
Well…. I got your “Sciatica Leg Pain: Exercises for Sciatica” video in my email yesterday, watched it, and just figured I’d get around to doing it when I had the time (frankly, for the inverted exercise, I was concerned my knees wouldn’t bend that way). This morning, after another sciatica-induced poor night of sleep, before I even got out of bed, I just did the exercises from the video.
IMMEDIATE RELIEF!!!! Absolutely immediate relief. I could feel it working as I was doing them. The muscular isolation and biofeedback were amazing.
Unbelievable. I’m astonished. I had a Chiropractor show me several stretching exercises many years ago, and I do them regularly (actually… pretty much constantly). They bring me relief and keep my lower back limbered up enough to limit my sciatica to a few incidents a year, but nothing I have ever done has brought me the immediate relief I got from your exercises. Nothing!
Thanks!!! I will now do those stretches religiously every day and night.
Now I’ve got to go finish building my deck.
David,
Now it’s time to fix the reason why the piriformis muscle gets that way in the first place. And if you think this stretch is good, wait ’til you experience the whole thing…
You can read more about the program here: Back Pain Relief
Let me know if I can be of further help. For a free consultation, you can email me at malton@eraseyourbackpain.com
Talk soon,
Malton
David,
Now it’s time to fix the reason why the piriformis muscle gets that way in the first place. And if you think this stretch is good, wait ’til you experience the whole thing…
You can read more about the program here: Back Pain Relief
Let me know if I can be of further help. For a free consultation, you can email me at malton@eraseyourbackpain.com
Talk soon,
Malton
Hi,
I am 18 weeks pregnant and have intense sciatica pain and I tried your exerice and I already feel better. I still have a little bit but I will continue to do the exercises a few times a day.
Thank you so much!
Awesome!
Let me know if I can be of further help.
I am 20 weeks pregnant and wanted to know if this exercise can work for me as well. I am in severe pain and would like to get some relief from Sciatica. My doctor did confirm that I have sciatica. I have a stinging pain in my left leg and can feel it orginate from the spine. Please help!
Hi, ive been trying the sciatic excercices, which are really helping, but i was wondering how often to do them and do you repeat the same excercise on each side? sorry if this seems a dumb question.
thanks very much
I have had a couple of long bouts of sciatica over the years which caused me a lot of pain when I was sitting - I just couldn’t find any comfortable way to sit. I have it again now but the problem is mainly at night - it is very painful (like electric shocks) as soon as I lie down and I am having trouble sleeping. It is mainly on the left side - my hip feels very sore, but my chiropractor and the hospital assure me the hip is OK and it is to do with the muscle. I have suffered back problems for years and have one left slightly longer than the other. I will try your exercises, but do you have any advice in the meantime, as having this problem lying down seems to be a bit unusual! Many thanks.
I have left sided Sciatica and have also had a left total hip replacement. This does seem to mean that I should not do the pyriformis stretching exercises. Would you agree?
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