Is Walking Good for Sciatica? Exploring the Benefits
Are you one of the many people struggling with sciatica? You may find yourself searching for helpful ways to alleviate your pain. Walking is a great way to reduce sciatica pain in many individuals. Walking is a gentle, low-impact exercise, so it likely won’t further aggravate your sciatica condition. We know sciatica can be truly debilitating in some cases, yet consistent walking could be a key factor in turning your condition around. Let’s explore whether walking is helpful for your sciatica and how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica refers to the pain along the path of the sciatica nerve. This nerve extends from the lower back, through the hips, and down each leg. Most commonly, sciatica will only affect one side of the body and will often be traced back to a herniated disc, a bone spur on the spine, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine) which may lead to compression of the sciatic nerve. This compression may cause inflammation, pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected leg.
The Role of Walking in Sciatica Relief
Walking is a gentle, yet effective exercise which can be very beneficial for those who happen to be experiencing symptoms associated with sciatica. Here’s how walking may help your sciatica.
- Improves Spinal Support: Regular walking will help to strengthen the muscles in the lower back, the hips,and the legs. Through this increase in natural muscle strength, you may find an increase in support for your spinal column, which could possibly reduce the pressure exerted on your sciatic nerve.
- Promotes Healing: Walking helps to increase blood flow and may enhance the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the affected areas of your body, which in turn may promote healing of your sciatic condition.
- Reduces Inflammation: Exercise of any sort is great for releasing endorphins. Endorphins act as a natural pain reliever for many individuals. These hormones can help to reduce the perception of pain and decrease overall inflammation which could be quite beneficial for sciatica sufferers.
- Maintains Spinal Alignment: Consistent walking will likely help to maintain proper spinal alignment. Through keeping the spine aligned, you may reduce the chances of conditions worsening over time which could further pinch the sciatica nerve.
How to Walk Safely with Sciatica
While walking is certainly beneficial (we’re meant to walk after all), walking incorrectly or too aggressively at first could aggravate matters. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you begin to incorporate walking into your routine:
- Start Slow: If you happen to be new to daily walking, you’ll want to start with slow, short walks. Gradually increase your walking distance and pace as you gain confidence in your abilities. Remember to always listen to your body. If something feels “off’, don’t push it. Reevaluate and retry tomorrow.
- Choose Flat Surfaces: Choosing a flat surface to walk on will greatly reduce the chance of injury or further worsening of your sciatica condition.
- Wear Supportive Footwear: Wearing the right footwear is key when you choose to begin incorporating walking into your daily routine. Choosing footwear which provides a good level of arch support and cushioning is key to providing you with the right level of support, comfort, and stability.
- Maintain Good Posture: Maintaining good posture while walking (keeping your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared) can do a lot of good for your walking experience.
- Listen to Your Body: As mentioned above, you’ll always want to listen to your body. If you begin to experience discomfort or pain, stop, rest, and reevaluate. It’s important to listen to your body and not try to push through the pain, as this may lead to further injury.
Choose Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants for Help with Your Sciatica
Walking can be one of the best ways to begin exercising again when you have sciatica, provided it’s performed carefully and adjusted to your individual condition and tolerance. Walking may not only aid in the recovery process of your sciatica condition through strengthening of muscles and promotion of circulation, it also serves as a manageable form of exercise for those experiencing pain from their sciatica.
As always, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare provider prior to engaging in a new exercise routine such as daily walking, especially if your sciatica symptoms are quite severe. Choosing to embrace walking as a gentle, yet effective step towards better managing your sciatica pain could be one of the best decisions you make this year. Feel free to contact us using the form below if you’d like to discuss sciatica treatment options we can provide here at Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
DISCLAIMER: No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.