How Pilates Help in Overcoming Sciatica?

by Edinburgh Centre Pilates Centre

Pilates releases the tightness and relieves muscle imbalances, thereby helping to overcome sciatica. Join a renowned Pilates studio to help yourself better.

The compressed and inflamed sciatic nerve is the leading cause of sciatica. This is the longest nerve in the body running from the lumbar spine all way down to the legs, meaning the pain often radiates from the glutes and low back, down to the foot. Structural problems in the low back, like herniated discs compressing the nerve, but no specific cause detected results in sciatica. The pain ranges from annoying to gravely debilitating. The symptoms are shooting, burning pains, shooting, low back pains, numbness and cramping to the thigh from the glutes. Even one experiences weakness in the legs, pins and needles. Some people evens stops working, while some might experience frequent visits.

Triggering factors worsening the symptoms include -

• New and old injuries

• Bone spurs

• Spondylolisthesis

• Pregnancy

• Spinal Stenosis

• Arthritis

• Poor Posture

• Muscle Imbalances

• Tight Piriformis Muscles

• Vertebrae Misalignment

• Herniated Discs

How Do Pilates Help in Dealing With Sciatica?

First, visit a doctor or else a health professional for identifying the cause so they can recommend the right treatment options. Pilates is highly recommended. So, join the best Pilates studio in Edinburgh, where you shall receive guidance from an experienced Pilates instructor. As you learn gently release tight areas, and work on getting over the built-up muscle imbalances, you can sense how the pain starts going downhill. You will be taught how to correctly fire muscles, particularly around the pelvis. Pilates exercises and stretches are to be controlled and progressive to get relief from sciatic pains. Exercises like L1 scissors, single leg stretch alongside the low back, small gentle bridges, glute stretches and quad are the best.

But, some exercises should be avoided like overstretching the hamstrings, downward dog, hamstring stretching and full single leg circle. Do not overload with double leg movements. Refrain from doing full-body squats, rotating stretches and participating in high impact sports involving jarring movements.

Do the following for minimizing and preventing Sciatica -

• Build up strong muscles for supporting your spine and sciatic nerves. As the spinal column and discs get the right stability needed, then the injuries and irritations to the nerves are less.

• Maintain a good posture for protecting you from levying more pressure on the herniated discs and compression on the nerve, for reducing sciatic pains. Combined correct posture and right exercises provide faster relief from pains.

• Try to wear flats and avoid wearing high heels.

• Avoid driving or remaining seated for extensive hours.

• Practise Pilates regularly along with stretching for having a higher chance of overcoming sciatica. It helps in building up the spinal muscles and strengthening the sciatic nerves for reducing pains and aggravation on them. Stretching helps in relieving pressure on the nerves.

• Reduce stress levels.

• Take care of muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments with the right vitamins, minerals and nutrition.

Sciatica is both painful and irritating, but the condition can be improved by living a healthy lifestyle, through Pilates and nutrition. Follow the instructions of the knowledgeable and experienced Pilates instructor to practise the appropriate exercises so the symptoms do not worsen.