Physical therapy for sciatica: sets of physical therapy exercises for prevention and treatment

The nerve emerges from the sacral plexus and is covered by a muscle bundle. This is a thick plexus of nerves that permeates the body: from the lumbosacral spinal cord to the two tibial nerves, reaching the phalanx of the fingers.

That is why the pain when this nerve is pinched will be piercing and can reach the foot.

If an acute pain attack occurs during the process:

• Squats;
• Sudden movement;
• Bend the feet;

It is possible that your sciatic nerve is pinched; it is recommended not to delay your trip to the doctor.

In this article you can find out: what is infringement, symptoms of the disease, how to treat it and what exercises you can do.

What is sciatica?

This disease is a syndrome manifested by acute pain in the area of ​​the sciatic nerve . At the site of the nerve itself or in the lower back, compression of the spinal cord roots occurs. There are many reasons for pinched nerve endings in the spine, and therefore the manifestations of the syndrome are very diverse.

The term sciatica refers to a syndrome, not a disease. The pathology itself is called lumbosacral radiculitis. Depending on the causes of manifestation, there are other options for the name of sciatica: radiculopathy, radiculoischemia.

Most people do not know about sciatica, its symptoms and treatment. The human body is a complex mechanism that consists of tissues and many nerve networks.

When the sciatic nerve is pinched, the pain spreads to the entire leg

The sciatic nerve is the longest . It is formed by 5 pairs of spinal cord roots. If even one gets pinched, rather unpleasant symptoms immediately appear. This compression of the nerve ending is called sciatica.

Composition and dosage forms

Finalgon is produced in plastic or aluminum tubes placed in secondary cardboard packaging. In pharmacies you can buy the drug in the form of a medicated cream and ointment for external use.

• The cream is a thick, homogeneous white mass with a characteristic spicy odor. 1 g of the drug contains a total of 12.5 mg. active substances: nicobaxil and nonivamide. Among the excipients: vegetable fats, paraffin, water, stearin, back and emulsifiers. The product is packaged in tubes weighing 35 g.
• Finalgon ointment contains a high concentration of active ingredients - 29 mg. This is a viscous yellowish or light brown oily paste, the base of which is soft paraffin, stearin, sorbic acid, water and vegetable oil. The weight of one tube of the drug is 20 g.

The synthetic analog of capsaicin nonivamide and the nicotinic acid salt nicoboxil have a joint analgesic and distracting effect, reducing the unpleasant symptoms of inflammation and joint damage.

Basic principles of treatment

Complex therapy not only relieves pain, but also eliminates the causes that provoked the pinched nerve.

During the period of exacerbation of sciatica, when the pain is very severe, symptomatic treatment is carried out . To eliminate pain, various painkillers (Diclofenac, Ketanov), muscle relaxants and hormones are used. Antioxidants and vascular agents will help speed up the end of the attack, improving blood circulation and restoring the normal functioning of the affected tissues.

During remission, the pain disappears, but tissue nutritional disturbances and difficulties with movement remain . Therefore, maintenance therapy is necessary during this period.

For this purpose, physiotherapeutic procedures : massage, magnetic therapy, diadynamic currents, darsonvalization. They relax the muscles and eliminate pinched nerves, allowing for complete healing. These procedures eliminate recurrences of painful attacks.

Maintenance therapy also includes taking metabolic drugs, vitamins and antioxidants that restore blood microcirculation. If sciatica is caused by an infectious disease, then antibiotics may be used.

As a last resort, surgical treatment is performed. For example, with a hernia or tumor in the spine. Surgery is necessary if sciatic nerve compression has caused defecation disorder or urinary incontinence.

Symptomatic manifestations

A pinched sciatic nerve is a very severe, sharp pain that most often appears suddenly. The patient takes a forced, often uncomfortable, body position that brings him less suffering.

The patient complains of tingling or numbness in the lower extremities. A pinched nerve cannot be confused with something else. When moving, severe pain occurs that permeates the lumbar region, passes through the gluteal region and radiates to the entire lower limb. During laughter, coughing and other sudden movements, pain shoots through the lower back and leg. Treatment for a pinched nerve must be provided without delay, otherwise the loss of sensation in the legs will progress.

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

Exercise technique

Did you know that...

Next fact

If you perform the exercises correctly, gymnastics can completely replace drug therapy. All movements of the complexes are physiological and natural, so there will be no fatigue or sprains .

There are many exercises for inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and they are divided into certain groups.

In a lying position:

1. Pulling your knees to your chest while lying on your back. Perform at least 10 times.
2. Lying on your side, stretch your legs as far as possible. Then bend both legs and pull them towards your chest, then straighten. Do the same 10 times.
3. Lie on your stomach. Palms near shoulders. Straightening your arms, stretch your back as much as possible, looking up. Make a short delay and return to your previous position. For beginners, 5 approaches will be enough, but over time you can increase to 15.
4. Lie on your back. Pull your feet towards your buttocks. Arms crossed over chest. As you inhale, you should raise your torso, and as you exhale, lower it. Performed 15 times.

Sitting:

1. Sit on the floor and stretch your legs forward. Spread your arms to the sides (at shoulder level) and bring them back, trying to connect your shoulder blades. Movements should be made smoothly, without jerking. Repeat at least 5 times.
2. From a sitting position (arms extended upward), slowly lie on your back. Then raise your legs to a right angle. The lower back should not lift off the floor, as this will place excessive stress on the spine.
3. Sit on a chair. Place your hands on the back of your head and make slow turns with your body.

Standing:

1. Feet shoulder-width apart, back as straight as possible. Raise your right hand and lean to the left. The arm and torso should be parallel to the floor. Then return to the starting position and lean to the right.
2. Hands on the belt. You need to take turns raising your straight leg. It doesn’t have to be high, you should focus on your feelings.
3. Place your feet as wide as possible. Bend your knees (“rider pose”) and shift your weight to each leg in turn. This exercise improves blood circulation in the pelvic area.

Gymnastics for the prevention of sciatica

All exercises are an excellent way to prevent sciatica . Regular implementation of the complex will prevent the sudden onset of a painful attack.

Video: “Exercises for pinched sciatic nerve”

Exercises for acute back pain

With sciatica, lumbago (lumbago) often occurs . To relieve severe pain, there are two exercises that eliminate pain and restore motor activity.

• You need to stand at a horizontal surface, which should be at pelvic level. For example, a table or a couch. Slowly lie down on it with your body and relax well. While inhaling, inflate your stomach for 5 seconds, then exhale as much as possible. Repeat no more than 3 times.
• Take a position on all fours. The back should not bend. Relax your neck and lower your head. Inhale with your stomach (slow), hold for 5 seconds, exhale completely. After performing this breathing exercise 10 times, a person will notice how the pain recedes.

In order not to suffer from acute pain due to sciatica, it is advisable to visit the pool , take long walks, and ride a bicycle. I would recommend doing yoga, but with an experienced instructor.

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

Contraindications and side effects

Finalgon is contraindicated for people under 18 years of age due to insufficient data on its effects on young bodies. Other contraindications:

• allergy to drug components;
• the presence of moles, acne, boils or papillomas in the areas where Finalgon is supposed to be applied;
• skin damage: wounds, abrasions, abrasions.

A burning sensation, warmth, and redness of the skin are normal reactions to the drug. Intolerance may manifest itself after removal of the remaining product: in the form of a rash, swelling, severe itching.

Accidental contact of ointment or cream on mucous membranes, lips or eyes causes severe pain and chemical burns. In this case, it is necessary to rinse the damaged areas with plenty of water.

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”

Diagnostics

If signs of sciatica appear, you should consult a doctor.

Before prescribing treatment, the doctor conducts a diagnosis.

The clinical picture of the disease is usually clear after examination.

The following activities are prescribed:

• X-ray of the lumbar spine and pelvis;
• Magnetic resonance imaging\computed tomography;
• Ultrasound examination;
• Myography.

The doctor will definitely prescribe a blood test to check for infections in the body.

If the attending physician suspects the presence of a tumor or neoplasm, the patient is prescribed a radioisotope scan.