Stretches or exercises for sciatica?

[Sciatic_pain]

Hey, i have had 2 microdiscectomy procedures on my l5/s1 disc for a herniation causing a pinched sciatic nerve going down my right leg and the pain still is not getting better, it is over a month out of my last surgery, i am almost 17 now, my question is, is there any stretches or strengthening excercises i can do to help my sciatic nerve pain?

[flopu]

cool! let me know how you get on!

[Sciatic_pain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwSD8pDtpTE&feature=related
i clicked on this off the first link you sent me,
i did this exercise and it really has helped me within the first 15 minutes afterward i feel less pain and more flexible.
i just tried that knee extensions which i did more of leg raises, my leg shook a lot probably from being weak, but it didn't cause me pain and now i feel a lot better. I mean the pain is still there of course but i will definitely continue these exercises and see what they can do over the next couple days.
thanks so much!

[flopu]

..sorry forgot to say... when you extend your knee 10-20 degrees you unflex your hip a little bit at the same time....i.e...lower hip away from fully flexed position as you extend knee... that clear?!?!

[flopu]

your nerve must be super sensitive to stretch! alternatively... you could lie on your back with your hip and knee fully bent, with your two hands wrapped around the back of your thigh to support the leg... from this position, try to straighten your knee maybe 10-20 degrees, release... repeat 10 times.... that would mobilise the nerve also... obviously its a starter exercise though. non affected leg should be bent also, with foot of non-affected leg flat on ground.

[Sciatic_pain]

Hey, i just tried this exercise, but any extension of my leg from that 90 degree angle sitting straight up sends the pain straight down my leg.
i guess this exercise is not for me

[flopu]

let me know how you get on! i'm not a doctor remember though so be careful!!

[flopu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoUqfOGuEOU

Try what's on this video but don't extend your knee as much as she is to start with. Try 10 reps for today and then STOP!! remember must be 100% pain free... if it isn't you are only annoying the nerve and restarting the inflammation and irritation... the idea is that by straightening your knee you are stretching the nerve but at the same time you are extending your neck, thus taking the stretch off the nerve...

[Sciatic_pain]

Hey,
so do u know of any exercises that would mobilize my sciatic nerve without stretching it?
As you know doctors and P.T. are not the most thoughtful with their scheduling. Doctor appointments take 3 weeks to get into and when i was in P.T. they could only get me in once a week. So if there are any exercises that would mobilize the nerve without stretching it that you know of i would love to hear. I am up to try exercises and will stop them if that cause pain.

thanks flopu

[flopu]

this idea... but don't do it unsupervised....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4okiuznHsAc

[flopu]

Hi...as you have had two microdiscectomy procedures to date the most likely reason for your pain is NOT pressure on the nerve from a prolapsed disc, rather irritation of the nerve from inflammation... therefore stretches as such would serve to further irritate the nerve... McKenzie would not necessarily be applicable to your condition at this time. You would benefit from a series of exercises that would mobilise the sciatic nerve, without stretching it, thus reducing the hypersensitivity of this nerve. However, this should be carried out with an experienced therapist as irritating an already irritated nerve is a recipe for disaster! exercises to mobilise the nerve should be 100% pain free at all times... otherwise they are counterproductive. A TENS machine may be a good idea for you... in addition to a good rehab program!See.... "The sensitive Nervous System" by David S BUTLER

[toolmaker]

When you go back to pt ask your therapist about the "Mackenzie Method" .This helped me more than anything.DO NOT do this with out supervision though.

[Sciatic_pain]

okay sounds good, i will ask my doctor about the TENS device at my next appointment on the 7th of this month...
and i had countless physical therapy appointments before my surgery which did not help whatsoever, also i had chiropractor adjustments 40+ times with no relief, it got to the point where my spinal doctor told me that it was really my only option left other than living with the pain... i know surgery is a huge thing but after the chronic pain i felt it was necessary to undergo the surgery which my doctor told me there was a 95% chance that my surgery would fix my problem with me being only 16. it didnt work nor did the second one 6 months after. the pain has extremely affected my life and day to day activity including my whole athletic career.
Thank you for the feedback i really hope this TENS device will work. If not is there any other things or medicines you reccomend?

[caregiver222]

Yes, but do not fool around with "exercsies" or stretching from watching videos on the internet. You require sessions with an experienced rehabilitation expert, who will walk you through the exercises. This should have been done before surgery.  I am dismayed at the number of surgeons who direct patients directly into the operating room for sciatic pain without having them treated by a rehabilitation specialist.

After a laminectomy is performed there should be no pain whatsoever.  Discuss this with your surgeon.

You need another MRI.

Request a prescription and training in the use of a TENS device.

And after surgery the excercises may not do that much good.