30-Love Pain No More

The next set of stretches is a variation of the previous, but still do a great job of achieving effective stretching. Again, lie on the same surface, pulling your affected side into the figure-four position. On the non-affected side, bend at the knee, slowly bringing your affected side foot upward and toward your torso. A stretch should be felt in this position and be sure to hold it as long as the previous stretches.

It will also be important to incorporate some hamstring, exercises such as single leg toe touch or double leg toe touch to elongate the hamstrings and not recruit the gluteus or piriformis muscles to be overworked. When conventional stretches come to an end or you have completed a workout and need to stretch out again, completing these stretches again will be beneficial, but creativity could be the saving grace.

Look into your old gym bags or designated sports storage area for an old tennis ball. Saturate it with water and allow it to freeze in your freezer. Once it is frozen, go to a designated area where potential wet floors can easily be cleaned, and place the ball on the floor. Slowly place yourself over the tennis ball and begin to move gently back and forth over the areas of most pain. This will allow the affected tissue to “release” as the cold will allow provide some cryotherapy, and help dull the pain. It won’t take long for the tennis ball to warm up due to contact with the warm skin, so having a second frozen tennis ball wouldn’t hurt to have.

If freezing the tennis ball is too sensitive for contact, using the tennis ball without freezing will still help relieve pain in the areas most bothersome. And if there is more pain with the tennis ball or you have trouble maneuvering it, a foam roller (used for the exact purpose of elongating tissue) is highly effective – although I do believe you would have a hard time fitting it into your freezer.

READ Natural Remedies to Treat Sciatica

Consider The Following

Time is also a major factor in pain relief due to potential sciatica. The more time you have to rehabilitate from the injury, the better. Time is not always our friend when it comes to accomplishing our goals, so of course the most you can make of your time can also be beneficial. Performing these steps can help get you on the right path toward recovering from sciatica. If pain persists for longer than a few days or seems to get worse, consult your preferred healthcare professional, such as an athletic trainer, physical therapist or orthopedist. Their services provided, such as therapeutic modalities may be just what you need in junction with stretching to get you back to normal. As with all nagging injuries, be sure to keep a positive outlook and strive to have good results with the notion that you will kick your butt’s pain, without letting it kick yours!