Exercises for inflammation of the sciatic nerve: types, rules of execution

It is observed in an uncomfortable sitting position, during pregnancy or excessive physical activity.

If not properly treated, it can cause serious complications.

Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, and exercises for sciatic nerve inflammation.

The last point is an important part of therapy, which allows not only to relieve inflammation, but also to strengthen the muscles in this area to prevent re-inflammation.

Types of lumboischialgia

According to the method of progression, lumboischialgia is divided into 2 forms:

• acute – characterized by acute lumbago that occurs for the first time;
• chronic - pain (they are nagging and dull) appears periodically and systematically, periods of exacerbation are replaced by remission.

Depending on the affected area, lumbago with sciatica occurs:

• unilateral – pathology covers the right or left side of the body;
• bilateral, or bilateral - inflammation spreads to both sides.

Depending on the cause, lumbar sciatica is distinguished:

• vertibral, or vertebrogenic – caused by diseases of the spine:
• discogenic – develops with intervertebral hernia;
• spondylogenic – caused by osteochondrosis;
• nonvertebrogenic – not associated with diseases of the spine:
• angiopathic - provoked by disruptions in the blood circulation of the lower back and lower extremities;
• myofascial – a consequence of damage to muscles and fascia;
• caused by pathologies of the peritoneal organs;
• caused by problems in the hip joints;
• idiopathic - the cause cannot be determined.

Favorable terms of cooperation

Symptoms and treatment of the sciatic nerve are always the responsibility of specialists. So, as soon as you feel the corresponding symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor. Our clinic will help you relieve pain and inflammation and restore the joy of active life.

Our specialists have at their disposal all the advanced methods of treating the sciatic nerve - from physiotherapy to massage. Doctors will also prescribe the right combination of medications for you and make sure that the pain does not develop into chronic pain.

Our patients can count on truly attractive prices and comfortable treatment conditions. Give yourself the gift of health and relief from pain and discomfort.

Causes of pathology

The disease develops when the sciatic nerve is pinched, injured or inflamed.

A variety of factors can cause this situation:

• injury to the back area;
• radicular syndrome;
• chronic diseases of the spine (osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia, arthrosis, osteoporosis, spondylitis, scoliosis, protrusion);
• benign or malignant neoplasms in the spinal column;
• infections affecting nerve trunks;
• inflammation of the back muscles;
• inflammatory processes in the blood vessels of the sacrum;
• pathologies of the hip joint;
• diseases of the abdominal organs;
• prolonged sitting;
• unsuccessful injections into the epidural cavity;
• postoperative complications.

They increase the risk of developing the disease and provoke relapses in the chronic form:

• hypothermia of the body;
• prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position;
• long work at the computer;
• improper performance of exercises during sports;
• increased physical activity;
• constant work in the garden (sometimes lumboischialgia is called summer residents’ disease);
• poor posture;
• age-related degenerative processes in the spine;
• excess weight;
• frequent stressful situations;
• depression;
• pregnancy;
• alcohol abuse;
• smoking.

Types of ointments for illness

All external use products, which are produced in the form of ointments, can be divided into several large categories, differing in their composition and mechanism of action.

Table. Review of the main groups of ointments used for sciatica.

Ointments for sciatica

The doctor’s prescription in this case will depend on the disease that sciatica is associated with, how severe the patient’s pain is, and whether he has any contraindications.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptom of lumboischialgia is acute lumbago (sharp pain of a shooting nature) in the buttocks and back of the legs, radiating to the lower extremities. The pain is provoked by sudden movements, lifting heavy objects, sneezing, coughing. Attacks can last several minutes or several days.

The patient may experience other symptoms:

• decreased or loss of sensitivity in the skin of the buttocks and affected leg;
• stiffness in the lower back;
• muscle tension;
• pain when standing on your leg;
• cramps in the calf muscle;
• numbness of the toes;
• pallor of the skin in the sacral area;
• increased body temperature;
• chills and fever;
• weakness in the legs;
• indigestion;
• difficulty and pain in urination and defecation;
• itching, burning or subcutaneous throbbing.

If left untreated, blood circulation is impaired. Over time, lumbago with sciatica can cause urinary and fecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, cause a decrease in muscle mass in one limb, and lead to disability.

Exercise therapy for sciatica

Patients often ignore or underestimate prescribed exercises for sciatica. Many patients find that medications are more effective than therapeutic exercises. This opinion is clearly erroneous.

A set of properly selected exercises improves blood circulation, relieves inflammation and activates metabolism . Therapeutic exercises speed up recovery, and pain can be relieved in a few days.

In addition, other spinal problems that may cause sciatica are eliminated. All exercises are performed only in the absence of pain; during periods of exacerbation, training is strictly prohibited. The main thing is to do the exercises correctly.

Doing exercises is prohibited during the acute phase of sciatica. For gymnastics to be effective, you should adhere to certain recommendations:

• It is better to master the complex under the supervision of a doctor.
• Exercises will be beneficial if done twice a day.
• All exercises for sciatica are done on a hard surface.
• During an exacerbation of the disease, breaks are allowed, but then you need to continue performing the complex, taking into account your state of health.
• Gymnastics should be done regularly. If there is no desire or strength, then you should not cancel the training, you need to do at least 2-3 exercises at half strength.

If the disease is in the acute phase, then the exercises are not performed until the pain disappears.

Physical activity is also undesirable in some pathologies:

• Mental disorders.
• Epilepsy (frequent seizures).
• Serious spinal injuries.
• Oncology.
• Heart diseases.
• Viral infections that are accompanied by fever.

Due to these restrictions, you should first consult a doctor or undergo a full examination.

Video: “The most effective exercise for pinched sciatic nerve”

Find out more about spinal neuralgia:

• Radicular syndrome with osteochondrosis in the cervical spine
• You can find out how to give injections for sciatica here
• A list of ointments for sciatica is posted on the page

Diagnostics

The doctor will be able to draw preliminary conclusions by studying the medical history and examining the affected area.

To confirm the diagnosis, determine the cause of the disease and determine the condition of the tissues, he refers the patient for diagnostics:

• radiography;
• ultrasonography;
• densitometry;
• computed or magnetic resonance imaging;
• blood test for infections and autoimmune diseases;
• analysis for tumor markers (if a tumor is suspected).

What exercises are contraindicated

Therapeutic exercises for sciatica always begin with a warm-up. Then they do stretching, gradually making the movements more difficult.

What exercises are prohibited to perform with this disease? Do not approach the bar under any circumstances . Excessive stress will further compress the intervertebral discs and can completely destroy them.

What not to do:

• Tilts and turns with weight . Friction occurs between the vertebrae, and this leads to disc injury.
• It is forbidden to squat with weight if the simulator is set to a rigid trajectory of movement, which does not always correspond to the anatomical structure of the spine.

Oddly enough, the most harmful thing for the spine is lying for long periods of time. To avoid pain in the lumbar region, the spinal column must have a strong muscular corset.

Video: “What exercise therapy exercises to do for sciatic neuralgia”

Treatment methods

Treatment of lumboischialgia consists of two stages: medication and complex.

Drug therapy is aimed at eliminating muscle spasms and relieving pain. The patient must be prescribed bed rest (for a couple of weeks). In this case, the bed should be flat and firm. For particularly severe pain, it is recommended to use a corset.

Drug treatment includes taking:

• anti-inflammatory medications – relieve inflammation, relieve pain;
• analgesics – relieve pain;
• muscle relaxants - eliminate muscle spasms;
• vasodilators - activate blood circulation and accelerate metabolism;
• diuretics – have a diuretic effect, eliminate swelling, remove toxins from the body;
• antidepressants – relieve depression, nervousness, fears;
• vitamin complexes - provide the body with useful substances, accelerate regeneration, help restore nerve structures and improve conductivity.

Local agents (ointments, creams and gels) that improve blood circulation and have an analgesic effect will help increase the effectiveness of treatment. For severe, unremitting pain, blockades with novocaine or glucocorticosteroids are made.

Under no circumstances should you massage or knead the sore area, as this can lead to a significant deterioration in your well-being.

After the pain disappears, they move on to the second stage, aimed at eliminating the cause of the pathology.

For complex therapy the following is used:

• physiotherapeutic procedures (shock wave therapy, ultra-high frequency therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis, ionization, Bernard currents, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, diathermy, reflexology, ozone therapy, muscle relaxation, paraffin baths) - effectively relieve inflammation and pain, restore the functionality of the lower back;
• physical therapy – special exercises are selected to relieve pinched nerves.

Additionally, you can use traditional medicine recipes.

In difficult cases (for example, if lumboischialgia is combined with an intervertebral hernia), surgical intervention is resorted to.

Shock wave therapy treatment

Among physiotherapeutic procedures, shock wave therapy is the most effective.

During the procedure, the affected tissues are exposed to acoustic shock waves of a given frequency, which are generated by a special sensor. The therapy has a complex effect on all components of the pathological process: destroys salt deposits, increases blood flow in capillaries tens (and sometimes hundreds) times, normalizes metabolism, improves cell nutrition, eliminates muscle spasms and inflammation, relieves pain, and restores spinal mobility . In addition, it activates the body’s own forces, contributing to its restoration and return to a full life.

Quite often, when drug treatment fails, shock wave therapy leads to complete recovery, making it a worthy alternative to injections and avoiding surgical treatment.

To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, individual parameters are selected on the device for each patient, taking into account the general condition of the body and associated pathologies.

The full course of treatment includes 8-10 weekly procedures.

Exercises for pinched sciatic nerve

Gymnastics when pinched will help normalize blood flow and strengthen the muscle frame. Exercises should be simple, calm, gentle. Movements should not cause discomfort. Every day it is worth gradually increasing the load. If pain occurs, stop gymnastic exercises.

No matter where to treat sciatica

gymnastics, at home or in specialized institutions, this method allows not only to relieve pain, but also to prevent subsequent pinching, cellular and tissue nutrition improves due to the flow of blood to the affected area. However, in case of acute inflammation, complex treatment is necessary; gymnastics alone will not help.

Exercise sets

In a standing position:

• the legs are placed shoulder-width apart, the lower back must be bent, and as you exhale, arch your back, and as you inhale, perform the reverse manipulation;
• feet are placed shoulder-width apart, and, raising your right arm up, you need to bend to the left; the same exercise is done in the other direction;
• In a standing position, self-massage of the lumbar area of ​​the back is performed.

In a sitting position:

• you need to sit on the floor, hands in front of you; on the count of “one”, the palms are brought to the shoulders, on the count of “two” they return to the starting position;
• sitting on the floor using the buttocks, sliding movements are made forward and backward;
• you need to sit on a chair with a straight back, hands on the back of your head, and make smooth turns of the body in different directions, each time increasing the angle of inclination;
• sitting on a chair, you need to straighten your leg and pull your toes towards you, then stretch them forward;
• the foot of the extended leg makes circular movements clockwise;
• the leg bends, then you should stretch it forward and try to lift it as high as possible, but you cannot tear yourself away from the chair.

Lying on your back and stomach:

• lying on your back, you need to bend your leg, raise your knee to your chest, hold in this position for 30 seconds, and then repeat the exercise with the other limb;
• in the same position, bend both legs at the knees and pull them to the chest, while placing the sore leg on the healthy leg, clasping it with your arms and trying to stay in this position for at least 30 seconds;
• lying on your back, make a movement with your legs - a bicycle at a measured pace;
• if possible, raise your legs up and swing them left and right at an angle of 45 degrees;
• lying on your stomach, leaning on your hands, the body rises, and in this position you need to stay for a few seconds, leaving your legs motionless;
• lying on your side, take your sore leg by the toe, and try to reach your buttocks with your heel, then relax;
• lying on your side, bend your leg at an angle of 90 degrees, straighten the other leg and move it to the side.

Standing on all fours, you need to:

• swing your legs up and down alternately;
• press your legs to your stomach, tilt your head and press your chin to your chest, gradually moving your leg away, lifting your chin up;
• describe circular movements with an outstretched leg;
• sit on your heels, hands on the floor, then get back onto all fours.

The above exercises should be repeated every day, gradually increasing the load, avoiding excessive pressure on the spine. If pain occurs, gymnastic exercises should be stopped.

Additional workouts

The following exercises are also suitable for improving the musculoskeletal system:

• standing on all fours, you need to bend your back as you inhale and arch it as you exhale;
• sitting on all fours, you need to rest on your left leg, and stretch your right leg back, dropping as low as possible, and then repeat with the other leg;
• while in the same position, bend forward;
• when lying on your back, your abs swing, your elbows touch your knees;
• sitting on your heels, you need to rise and stretch your arms to the sides;
• you need to make turns with your pelvis while kneeling;
• swings are performed back and forth in a position on all fours;
• hands are placed on the stomach, and the air is exhaled through the mouth.

It is important to coordinate the use of various sets of exercises with a specialist.

Yoga exercises for sciatica

For patients diagnosed with a pinched sciatic nerve, a set of yoga exercises is recommended to improve blood circulation and strengthen the muscular system. Calm, measured asanas aimed at stretching muscles and eliminating tension are necessary. It is important not to perform exercises during an exacerbation. The following types of asana will help:

1. Tadasana - strengthens the abdominal muscles, helps restore bone tissue, straightens posture, and releases the spinal nerves.
2. Utasana – stretches the spinal column.
3. Baddha Konasana - prevents the appearance of hernia and radiculitis.

Training must be accompanied by the correct breathing system. Gymnastics includes several techniques: relaxation, a system of three inhalations and exhalations, performing three openings and closings. This approach will relieve pain, relax muscles and improve immunity.

Useful tips

During physical exercise, muscle pain can intensify, which is why it is so important to start exercising after pain relief, combining it with massage and drug treatment.

It is useful to do gymnastic exercises with a ball, lying on it, relaxing your limbs and spine. Exercises in water are suitable for patients of any age and gender. The water in the pool should be shoulder-deep. Swings and circular movements of the limbs are performed.

Training for pain is done very smoothly, gradually increasing the load from 5-6 approaches.
Sudden movements are not allowed. You need to do the exercises at least three times a day, starting with 10 minutes and increasing to 30 minutes per approach. It is better to do the exercises on an empty stomach; profuse sweating is possible. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of lumboischialgia, it is recommended:

• eat rationally;
• move more often;
• exercise;
• perform exercises that strengthen the back muscles and stretch the muscles;
• when doing physical work, use the principles of biomechanics;
• balance the load with the body’s capabilities;
• fight excess weight;
• promptly treat diseases of the spine, blood vessels and digestive system;
• don't get too cold.

Exercises according to the Bubnovsky system

To eliminate sciatica, a special complex has been developed aimed at toning the spinal muscles and normalizing joint mobility:

• "Cat" . You need to get on all fours and bend your back down as you inhale, and arch your back up as you exhale.
• "Pumping" . In the same position, do push-ups from the floor. Inhale - bend your arms, exhale - straighten them.
• "Pulling" . Lie on your back, bend your knees, and clasp your hands behind your head. As you exhale, touch your elbows to your knees, and while inhaling, return to the starting position.
• "Bridge" . Performed while lying on your back. As you exhale, the lower back rises, and as you inhale, it lowers.

An example of how to do the cat exercise correctly