Growing up, I can remember my mom often injuring her back, and when she did this, the recommendation of her doctor was to lie flat on the floor and not move for up to two, sometimes three days.
Now, bedrest might seem like a good idea, but we’ve come a long way since the 1980s.
Experts are now recommending a structured exercise program for those who are suffering from sciatica.
Exercise helps to nourish the discs, bring more blood flow into the actual disc, strengthen bones and muscles, and it could even bring flexibility to the sciatic nerve itself.
Now, as simple as it sounds, the type of exercise that you should be doing is the one that you can do as pain-free as possible.
So for some of you, this might mean just walking or swimming, and when things get really bad, this might mean some simple stretching and movement while you’re laying in bed.
Sciatica has lots of different causes, arthritis, slipped discs, stuck and stiff joints, tight muscles, but regardless of the cause of sciatica, the one thing that spinal experts are all in agreement on, a conservative approach is the best thing for the first six to eight weeks.
By conservative care, we mean things like stretching, exercise, and spinal mobility work.
Now, if you’ve been exercising and you’re not seeing the relief in your sciatica that you thought you would, then a visit to a chiropractor is a great idea.