Hi all,
I have been putting off starting my yoga class because all of a sudden I have a painful Sciatica problem. However as I researched on the computer it was saying that yoga is good for this and I was so happy. My question is, has anyone on the forum or knows of anyone that has been greatly helped by consistent yoga practice? I am at my wits end and would appreciate any positive answers. Hopefully someone will tell me that it was cured. Thanks
Yes yoga asana can be helpful in sciatica but FIRST it is ESSENTIAL to find the cause of the sciatica and then secondly very important that you work with a properly qualified and experienced yoga teacher.
If your sciatica is caused by extreme tightness of the piriformis muscle the asanas needed are very different than if the pain is caused by a spine/back issue.
Doing the wrong asanas could even make the problem worse.
lease get it checked by a professional.
Thank you for your answer. My class is a workshop and the teacher will show different ways of doing it so as not to further injure. My Dr. was pleased to see that I would be taking the classes. Mine is more tightness from sitting at long periods. I won’t be pushing myself beyond my capabilities.
Cody,
You mention an “all of a sudden” onset of sciatic symptoms. If that is correct and there are no structural issues then it’s likely to “go away” all by itself - assuming you address the non-physical things which attracted it in the first place.
You ask if anyone can be “greatly helped by consistent yoga practice” and the answer to that is “it depends”. A consistent, appropriate, properly conveyed YOGA practice with the correct approach by the student will be immeasurably helpful. An asana practice alone … less so. In fact, some asana practices are not helpful at all as they lack elements or are poorly instructed often resulting in harm rather than support.
Just letting you know it can be done with yoga because it did for me! I just did a regular beginner level type practice. Took about a week or two, never came back as I practice regularly now. I figure it was all the stretch.
Thank you so much Missi. I just started doing yoga back exercises at home and am doing better already. I know it is the weak and tight muscles. I will be starting a regular beginning yoga class in 4 weeks. I should be ready by then. I wish I would have done this sooner.
I actually started yoga do to my L5/S1 disc being herniated which is where you are feeling your sciatica. I will try to find the routine I used and post it when I do. It helped tremendously!
Hi there,
Did your pain go away permanently?
For the most part. I have had back surgery so I still feel it once in a while but I can walk, run, bend and lift now. It worked much better than physical therapy or meds.
How long did it take for you to really feel the improvement? and was it in a class or at home? The reason I am asking is because My lower back really hurts when I try to walk just a block. I just want it gone.
I did it at home just using free yoga videos. It took about 2 weeks till I noticed major improvements. Remember, pain is different than hurting yourself when doing it. Your body will let you know the difference.
Thank you so much for your help. These answers lift my spirits that I can be normal again.
No problem!! Glad your spirits are getting lifted, that is the most important part. As I said, don’t push yourself to hard, hurting is ok when doing the yoga, hurting yourself is not.
Yoga/Extreme Stretching helped my curve in my thoracic area of my spine.
[QUOTE=cody11;83932]Thank you so much for your help. These answers lift my spirits that I can be normal again.[/QUOTE]
How are you feeling? Any better?
Thank you Jbrokaw99, yes I am feeling better and getting better with my stretching. Hope to be in decent shape for my class on the 21st. Wish me luck.
Glad to hear!!
If you are already feeling better after just 5 days or so I am sure you will be 100% by the 21st!
Oh Ya, can’t wait to be better. I have been hurting for quite awhile.
Glad to hear too! Yoga is awesome. I always turn to yoga with any issue that comes up, physical or emotional, just a matter of fine tuning, picking the right practice or poses for the situation.
Thanks Missi,
I am getting more excited about any progress I make. I just know if I keep at it I should progress well.