Sciatic Pain

One of the most common ailments to inflict Americans is inflammation of the sciatic nerve causing pain in the lower back that radiates down the outside of the thigh and may go as far as the foot.

The good news is that there is an easy remedy that with vigilant application will not only reduce the pain but remove the problem.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in our body. It originates in the mid spine divides into 2 bunches of fibers, passes through the piriformis notch on both sides of your pelvis under the Piriformis muscle, then down the outside of your thigh to the knee where it continues to radiate down to the feet.

There are many reasons why it becomes irritated and inflamed but the most common is a tight Piriformis muscle. Your Piriformis is a leg rotator and runs from your femur to your spine.

When the piriformis muscle shortens or spasms due to trauma, over sitting or overuse, it can compress or strangle the sciatic nerve beneath the muscle. Generally referred to as piriformis syndrome and often seen in people who regularly exercise by running, bicycling, and other forward-moving activities where the hip abductors (outer thighs) and gluteus become weak and adductors (inner thighs) are tight.

The elimination of this chronic condition involves lateral stretching and strengthening exercises. 

On your Aeropilates reformer I recommend daily practice of Elephant, Piriformis Stretch, Eve’s Lunge and Standing Side Slpits.

If you don’t have a reformer, here are many e-programmes on line: one of the most informed is relieve sciatica naturally.

written by Marjolein Brugman

Marjolein Brugman is the founder of lighterliving and Aeropilates. “lighterliving is a movement and lifestyle choice we can all make. Let’s make it simple – make one decision a day to be better and watch the small steps lead to big changes. Eat smart, stay active, and you’ll live to feel a lighter life."