Barbara WintroubSeems like everyone I know has some form of sciatica. No one knows what that means except it hurts like crazy and interrupts their life. Doctors like to give shots and pills. These mask the symptoms but don’t work.
Let’s figure out what sciatica really could be. Take a look at the piriformis muscle and what it does. It turns the legs outward like a dancer. If you are overweight the piriformis tightens just like in a pregnant woman. If you are athletic and do side to side movements the piriformis tightens so you don’t fall over. If you sit on soft furniture with poor posture the piriformis locks down.
The sciatic nerve has a direct relationship with piriformis. It either runs through the piriformis or right on top of it. Ok, now you know the problem. Let’s find a solution.
Stretch, stretch, stretch. It sounds so easy, too easy…but it works. Using myself as an example I fixed my sciatic problem by spending 6 hours a day stretching in a course. I don’t expect you to do that but if you spend an hour a day, every day of the week, you might get some relief.
Start while sitting, cross one ankle across your knee. Push your knee parallel to the floor then lean forward. Hold the position for 2-3 minutes then change legs.
Sit on the floor with front knee bent, back knee bent. Lean forward walking your hands from right to left.
Lying on your back, bend one knee and place the other ankle over the bent knee. Pull the bent knee to your chest.
The final thought, see a stretch therapist. One of my clients with sciatica is seeing a stretch therapist. Results to follow in next newsletter.