What Are the Different Types of Sciatica Stretches?
Sciatica, also called radiculopathy, is a persistent lower back and leg pain, sometimes accompanied by leg numbness. This pain occurs when the sciatic nerves of the pelvis and legs are irritated by displaced spinal disks or disease. Sciatica stretches relieve pressure on the nerves and strengthen the supporting muscles of the lower back. While some lower back problems require medical attention, these stretches will often completely eliminate sciatica. Hamstring stretches are a type of sciatica stretches that loosens the leg and hip muscles, allowing the pelvis to move more freely. These stretches should be performed by stretching one leg and then the other while a person lies on his or her back. To do the first stretch, a person raises one leg straight up in the air while holding the thigh with both hands. In the second stretch, the knee that is straight up is bent and held with the opposite hand. The knee is then pulled across the body, held, and then return to center.
