Best Yoga Poses for Sciatica Relief

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. The extent of pain that you experience will vary from person to person, although it’s distinguishable by pain that runs from the lower back to the back of your legs, typically only on one side of the body. 

At Pain Control Associates, LLC., we understand the importance of treating every patient as an individual to get the best results. Treatments for sciatica will depend largely on what triggered the pressure on your nerve, but in some cases, yoga can be a good option for relieving pain without invasive treatment. 

What Causes Sciatica?

While there are many conditions that can trigger sciatica, some of the most common are in your spine. With a herniated disc, a tear in the spinal disc causes a sort of bulging that can put pressure on the nearby nerve, leading to pain. 

Sciatica may also be caused by spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal canal itself is too small, compressing nerves. Spinal stenosis often results from changes in the spine related to arthritis, but it can also result from injuries or other conditions. 

However, life factors not related to an underlying condition might also be to blame. For instance, a sports injury impacting the buttocks or hamstring (where the sciatic nerve also runs) might trigger sciatica. In some cases, tight or overused muscles can also trigger sciatica pain.

Mild cases of sciatica may go away on their own with self-care, but it’s important to consult a doctor if you have any concerns or before attempting treatments at home. Our pain control specialists at Pain Control Associates, LLC. can help you understand the underlying cause of your pain, so you can determine the best and safest method of treatment. 

Yoga for Sciatica Pain

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your pain without medication or invasive treatment, yoga may be the answer. Studies cited by Healthline point to yoga’s ability to improve pain related to sciatica, reduce chronic lower back pain, and even help reduce the use of pain medication. 

Where should you start? When using yoga for pain relief, it’s important to know which poses will be most beneficial to you and which ones you should avoid. For instance, many forward bends can strain the back in ways that worsen sciatica pain. The bottom line is that if a pose is causing discomfort, that’s a good sign you should stop and try something else. 

Some of the best poses for pain relief from yoga include the child’s pose, the downward-facing dog, and the half-moon pose. The child’s pose, in particular, stretches your spine, promoting relaxation and flexibility. 

When learning yoga, especially as a beginner, you’ll want to research the poses you are attempting to learn to make sure you are getting the most benefit out of them. There are many great online resources that provide visuals and guidelines to help. 

Getting Help for Sciatica Pain

At Pain Control Associates, LLC., we understand the importance of finding the right pain management techniques for you. Our specialists at Pain Control Associates, LLC. can help you get to the bottom of your sciatica, so you can get back to feeling your best. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.