Can Exercise Cure Sciatica?

If the mere sound of the term sciatica sends literal shivers down your spine, then you know what it’s like to feel that sharp, shooting pain that runs from your lower back down your leg. You also know that physical activity can trigger the symptoms. 

How can exercise be both an instigator and a solution for sciatica?

Double-board-certified, award-winning spinal surgeon Patrick McNulty, MD, FABSS, FABOS, explains the complex relationship between sciatica and exercise, how you can use physical activity to your advantage, and how we can treat exercise-resistant sciatica at McNulty Spine in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. 

Sciatica 101

Sciatica isn’t a disease; it’s a symptom. It’s an umbrella term that covers several symptoms caused by a compressed nerve in your lower back. It usually refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which starts in your lower back and travels through your hips and down each leg. 

Sciatica usually affects one side of the body and can vary in intensity from a dull ache to a sharp, burning sensation. Some people also experience numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.

Sciatica and exercise: friends or foes?

One wrong move can send pain from your back to your toes, so your instinct might be to sit still. But sitting still can trigger sciatica, too, so what can you do? 

The first step is to identify the root cause of your sciatica. Here are some common culprits:

1. Herniated disc: When the soft tissue inside a disc in your spine pushes out, it can press on the sciatic nerve.
2. Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spine, often due to aging, can pressure the sciatic nerve.
3. Piriformis syndrome: The piriformis muscle in your buttocks can irritate the sciatic nerve.
4. Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when a vertebra slips out of place and compresses the sciatic nerve.
5. Traumatic injury: An accident or fall can sometimes lead to sciatica.

These are just the highlights of a long list of potential causes of sciatica. Some can benefit from exercise, and others can’t.

When exercises help sciatica

Exercise can be a game-changer for sciatica but isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Adding physical activity to your treatment is best when you have a mild-to-moderate case of sciatica due to muscle imbalances or mild disc herniation. If this describes your condition, exercise can:

• Increasing flexibility
• Strengthening your core muscles to support your spine
• Enhance blood flow to your nerves and other tissues
• Improve your bone health
• Nourish your spinal discs
• Reduce inflammation and stiffness in your nerves through nerve gliding

When exercises don’t help sciatica

Exercise isn’t always the answer. Here’s when it might not be effective:

1. Severe herniated disc: If a disc is significantly pressing on the nerve or has damaged it, exercises might not provide relief and could worsen the condition.
2. Advanced spinal stenosis: If your spinal canal is severely narrowed, exercises might not offer much help.
3. Persistent pain: If you've been doing exercises diligently but haven’t seen improvement, it could be time to explore other treatments.

Next-level treatments for specific causes of sciatica

When exercises aren’t enough, Dr. McNulty offers next-level treatments:

Lumbar laminectomy

In a lumbar laminectomy, Dr. McNulty removes part of the vertebrae, called the lamina, to relieve pressure on the nerve. 

He often recommends this procedure for severe spinal stenosis. 

Limited discectomy

In this surgical procedure, Dr. McNulty removes the part of the disc pressing on the nerve. He typically recommends it for severe herniated discs. 

Fusion reconstruction

If you have severe spinal instability or deformity, Dr. McNulty may perform a fusion reconstruction to fuse two or more vertebrae to stabilize your spine. 

Don’t sit and suffer, wondering when the next shock of sciatica pain will hit — call McNulty Spine or request an appointment online.