Sciatic Nerve Pain Stretches & Exercises - Ask Doctor Jo

Recent questions

• How can I relieve sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis muscle?

  To alleviate sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis muscle, specific stretches targeting the piriformis are recommended. One stretch involves creating a figure 4 with your legs, crossing the hurting leg over and pulling it towards the opposite shoulder for a 30-second stretch, repeated 3 times. For a deeper stretch, individuals can lie on their back, cross the hurting leg over, and use body weight to bring the knee towards the opposite shoulder, holding for 30 seconds and repeating 3 times.

• What is the recommended duration for each piriformis stretch?

  The recommended duration for each piriformis stretch is 30 seconds, repeated 3 times for optimal relief from sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis muscle.

• Can lying on the back help alleviate sciatic nerve pain?

  Yes, lying on the back can help alleviate sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis muscle. By crossing the hurting leg over and using body weight to bring the knee towards the opposite shoulder, individuals can achieve a deeper stretch that aids in relieving the pain.

• How many times should the piriformis stretches be repeated?

  The piriformis stretches should be repeated 3 times to effectively target and alleviate sciatic nerve pain caused by the piriformis muscle. This repetition helps in loosening the muscle and reducing discomfort.

• What position should the legs be in for the piriformis stretches?

  For the piriformis stretches, individuals should create a figure 4 with their legs by crossing the hurting leg over and pulling it towards the opposite shoulder. This position helps in specifically targeting the piriformis muscle to alleviate sciatic nerve pain.