3 Steps to Eliminate Sciatica

spinal stenosis

Sciatica is now officially one of the most common forms of lower back pain. Over 80% of adults suffer from back pain at some stage. Sciatica is the one form that people fear the most.

Sciatica can be a debilitating condition where movement and day to day life is painful. The pain radiates down the leg to the foot if severe, it creates a sickening type pain that affects you emotionally as much as it does physically.

Although most of you will have heard the horror stories of how sciatica is caused by disc injuries, spinal stenosis or other major lower back pain issues. In fact - less than 10% of sciatic nerve irritation is created by these conditions. Most sciatic nerve irritation comes from 3 simple processes.

Correcting these 3 processes gives you the 3 steps to sciatica relief.

Step One: The sciatic nerve is formed from five nerve roots exiting the lower back region. If the lower back joints or muscles are irritated then sciatica may develop.

Step one is therefore to balance the lower back, which can be simply performed by using stretches and joint techniques for the area.

Step Two: The pelvis is the foundation for the spine. If the pelvis is distorted then sciatica occurs. You can notice pelvic distortion by having your pelvis at different heights, twisted, leg length changes or shoulder twisting. These all indicate pelvic distortion which will irritate the sciatic nerve.

Step two therefore requires you to correct the pelvic alignment and ease pressure off the sciatic nerve.

Step Three: probably the easiest and most common irritant to the sciatic nerve - the Piriformis muscle. As the sciatic nerve runs through the Piriformis muscle, when it tightens sciatica develops quickly.

Step three is essential to eliminate sciatica and maintain permanent sciatica relief. Sciatica stretching should incorporate the Piriformis muscle, and stretching should be three times each day, with one session just prior to bed. If you stretch the muscle and then use it (walking, lifting or general activity) the benefit of the stretch disappears. Stretching if done before bed will relax the muscle and then sleep helps to maintain this relaxed position for a longer period of time.

Sciatica stretching of the Piriformis muscle is essential for sciatica relief.

You may now be asking - how do you perform steps one, two and three. These 3 steps to eliminate sciatica can be performed at home in your own time easily. Self help sciatica relief will help the 90% of people who have common sciatica. Those with the more severe conditions will need professional help, although using these 3 steps of sciatica relief will create benefit.

For more in depth details of these 3 steps to Sciatica Relief, visit the Back Pain Advisor and view their web pages on Sciatica, Sciatica Relief and Sciatica Stretching.